Members of the University Climate Study Committee met with a consultant July 14 to help prepare for what will be Grand Valley's fourth climate study.
Sue Rankin, senior research associate at the Center for the
Study of Higher Education at Penn State University, discussed with the
committee the preparation, dissemination and marketing of a climate
study. About 20 committee members attended the session in the Kirkhof Center.
Rankin is a noted expert on campus climate studies. She also
serves as associate professor of College Student Affairs and Higher
Education at Penn State.
"People will ask, 'Why is there a need to assess the
climate?'" Rankin said. "You do so because you want to
foster a caring community that opens doors wider for people who don’t
have access."
Rankin complimented the committee on Grand Valley’s diversity
and inclusion efforts. "You walk the walk and talk the
talk," she said. "But to be successful, the survey has to
map to your vision."
The committee plans to administer the study in the winter
semester; the committee is co-chaired by Neal Rogness, professor of
statistics, and Jeanne Arnold, vice president for Inclusion and Equity.
Rogness said the next steps include having the subcommittees
meet to determine questions and other details that will make the
survey unique to Grand Valley. The committee will continue working
with Rankin, he added.
