#ispeak: Campus Climate Survey at Rutgers University-New Brunswick Felicia E. McGinty, Ed.D Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Rutgers University
The first step in solving a problem is to name it and know the extent of it and a campus climate survey is the best way to do that The Justice Department, too, will partner with Rutgers University s Center on Violence Against Women and Children to pilot, evaluate and further refine the survey and at the end of this trial period, we will explore legislative or administrative options to require schools to conduct a survey in 2016. https://www.notalone.gov/assets/report.pdf
Key Stakeholders within Rutgers Center on Violence Against Women and Children School of Social Work Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance Office of Student Affairs Office of the Chancellor, Rutgers University-New Brunswick Other Partners Institutional Review Board Office of Institutional Research and Academic Planning
Campus Climate Survey The survey to be piloted at Rutgers University-New Brunswick was developed by Dr. Vicki Banyard (University of New Hampshire; USDOJ Office on Violence Against Women). Uses validated scales to assess multiple domains, including: Prevalence and incidence of sexual violence Bystander attitudes, behaviors, and confidence Perceptions of leadership, policies, and reporting Available in Climate Surveys: Useful Tools to Help Colleges and Universities in Their Efforts to Reduce and Prevent Sexual Assault (White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, 2014) - https://www.notalone.gov/assets/ovw-climate-survey.pdf Rutgers researchers have made minor alterations based on feedback from staff and students. All modifications will be tracked, justified, and reported back to the White House, along with lessons learned about the survey process.
The Campus Climate Survey is Embedded in a Comprehensive Climate Assessment Process McMahon, S., Stepleton, K., & Cusano, J. (2014). Understanding and responding to campus sexual assault: A guide to climate assessment for colleges and universities: Chapter 1: Introduction. Center on Violence Against Women and Children, School of Social Work, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey: New Brunswick, NJ.
A step-by-step guide to conducting a comprehensive climate assessment Chapter 1: Introduction available now Chapter 2: Fostering Collaborations available now Chapter 3: Conducting a Resource Audit available now Chapter 4: Conducting a Student Survey Winter 2015 Chapter 5: Gathering Qualitative Data Spring 2015 Chapter 6: Putting It All Together: Consolidating Results Summer 2015 Chapter 7: Creating an Action Plan Fall 2015 Download at http://vawc.rutgers.edu/ > Campus Climate Project
Online survey Asks about experiences of sexual assault, attitudes about sexual violence, and knowledge and use of campus resources Available for two weeks (10/27-11/9) Open to all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Rutgers University-New Brunswick in Fall 2014 Participant incentives include drawings for 25 $250 cash prizes
Outreach and Publicity: Key Message #ispeak because... Use student-generated reasons why they are participating in the survey to motivate their peers Modeled after a successful campaign undertaken at Emory University for the National College Health Survey
Outreach and Publicity: Venues Campus e-mails from known university figures Fliers in student centers, residence halls, libraries, gyms, dining halls, etc. Pop-up survey stations Chalking Meetings with campus groups and student leaders Campus media: RUTV, RURadio, Daily Targum student newspaper, student web portal, Rutgers University-New Brunswick website, student e-alerts, etc.
Outreach and Publicity: Social Media Hashtagging: #ispeak because on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine @RU_iSPEAK on Facebook, Twitter Coordination with campus social media accounts Incentives for participation in social media (e.g., prizes for creative entries, group entries, etc.)
Next Steps Within Rutgers University: Administering #ispeak to students October 27-November 9 Conduct preliminary data analysis Conduct student focus groups Consolidate quantitative and qualitative data Develop an action plan For External Audiences: Continue to release Guide chapters with downloadable and adaptable tools Provide feedback on the survey pilot to the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault