2009 Gallaudet University Climate Survey Results

Presentation to the Academic CouncilDr. Pat Hulsebosch, Executive Director of

Academic QualitySeptember 14, 2009

GU Campus Climate Survey• Background• Subscales: Themes and patterns

• Item Analysis: Themes and patterns– Positive and negative climate characteristics– Varying/Distributed

• Approximately 1/3 positive, 1/3 negative, 1/3 neutral– Seeming contradictions/Subtle messages in

patterns

• Action Planning

Background• Annual Campus Climate Survey– Piloted in 2007; Administered in 2008– SAME Survey administered in 2009• Consistency• Time needed to consider what changes would be

appropriate

• Administration– ASL version – Blackboard – 5 problems• Technical problems that were corrected (Active X)

– English version - Survey Monkey – 236 responses,

GU CC Survey Results Shared• AAMT – 4/29/09 & 7/8/09• Units (Unit Action Planning Mtg) – 5/6/09• University Faculty Senate meeting –

5/7/09• President’s Advisory Board – May 2009• Board of Trustees – 5/10/09• Some sub-scale reporting to the U.S.

Department of Education on-site monitoring visit – 6/1/09

GU CC Survey: Suggested for Further Sharing Results

Online (updated Institutional Research website) – Summer 2009

Linked to Bilingual Website’s Climate Section

On the Green – late Summer - Fall 2009Academic Councils – Fall 2009Staff Advisory Council – Fall 2009Other?

Who responded to the survey?

Response Rate: Percent of total possible* for each role

*Total possible” as reported by HR

Comparison of 2008 to 2009 Overall Subscale Scores

Overall Subscale Responses

Subscale Responses by Role: Effect Size*:Largest

comparable change

Second largest comparable

change

Third largest comparable

change

Faculty Respect & Trust Management Style

Information Sharing

Professional Staff Respect & Trust Academic Culture Management Style

Administrators Management Style

Academic Culture Respect & Trust

Staff Respect & Trust Management Style

Academic Culture

* Strength of comparison between 2008 and 2009. Useful in showing statistical significance.

GU Campus Climate Survey: Item Analysis

• Positive = Agree or Strongly Agree on a positive climate characteristics

• Negative = Disagree or Strongly Disagree on a positive climate characteristic OR Agreed or Strongly Agreed on a negative statement (e.g., “Favoritism occurs in the operation of the university.”

• Neutral = Neither Agree nor Disagree.

Positive Responses= Official and formal actions taken to convey respect & trust and to share information

• Means, frequency and timing of communication (esp., Admin to university); – “The University uses a variety of means to communicate” (77% : 185 out of 241)

• Ongoing programs to encourage diversity and respect; • Demonstration of multiculturalism and social justice

throughout university; • Access to and accommodations for diverse language users and

students with exceptionalities; • Clear statements, policies, and teaching defining academic

integrity and ethical behavior; • Statements about academic culture (5 items);• Accountability of unit managers to supervisors.

Negative Responses= Consistency and transparency of decision-making (especially resources); efficiency of the organization

• “Favoritism occurs in the operation of the university”– 74% of responses (strongest negative: 178 out of 241)

• Transparency and inclusivity of decision making and communication (2-way information flow)

• Efficiency of the organizational structure and coordination among units to resolve problems

• Security and freedom to express diverse perspectives• Articulation of the concept of bilingualism • Evaluation of ASL and English proficiency

GU CC Survey:Seeming contradictions/Subtle messages in

patterns

• Respondents were positive about the means, frequency, and timing of communication from University Administration to the community BUT negative about the transparency and reciprocity of the communication and decision making (especially re resource allocation).

GU Campus Climate Survey: Inconsistency on about one-fourth of Items

(i.e., Varied/Distributed= Mixed)

• Units use institutional criteria and existing policies to decide (units, student grades, hiring, promotion) (3 items)

• Managers are accessible and receptive to subordinates’ input (2 items)

• Managers communicate and demonstrate ethical behavior and attitudes; rules of civil behavior modeled and enforced (2 items)

• Conflict resolution processes are available • University is proactive in solving problems with community

input

Given the data on the GU Campus Climate Survey –

What needs to be done to improve campus climate?

GU CCC: Action Planning Q’s1. How can we increase the likelihood that formal and official

statements and policies be better translated into daily actions?

2. How can we increase the transparency, reciprocity, and effectiveness of communication and decision making? How can we increase transparency of resource allocation?

3. How can we increase the sense of proactive and efficient problem solving at Gallaudet and make the related decision making transparent in efficient and timely ways?

4. What strategies can be used to clarify and utilize consistent assessments of ASL and English proficiencies?