Pulse surveys reveal students, faculty, staff confident in university's response to COVID-19

Surveys to gauge how students, faculty and staff members feel about returning to campus showed they are mostly confident in Grand Valley's response to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Pulse surveys were sent to faculty and staff in early July and another will be sent in early August; students have been sent surveys bimonthly.  

Maureen Walsh, associate vice president for Human Resources, said pulse surveys are designed to be short, frequent and contain consistent questions to determine any trends among groups.

"These were internally developed surveys," Walsh said. "As we approach the fall semester, it is necessary to understand what's on people's minds and to help inform decision making."

Jesse Bernal, vice president for Inclusion and Equity and executive associate for presidential initiatives, said it's important to understand student preferences for learning modalities and their concerns about following public health guidelines while on campus.

Highlights of both surveys are below. Nearly half, 48 percent, of faculty and staff responded to the July 6 pulse survey; 36 percent of incoming and returning students responded to the mid-July survey.

Faculty/staff survey:

• 53 percent of respondents agree or strongly agree Grand Valley has a clear plan of action regarding health-informed policies and protocols for on-campus environments
• 76 percent of respondents agree their unit head or supervisor keeps them informed about decisions.
• 96 percent of respondents said they very often or always practice public health measures like hand washing, social distancing
• 87 percent of respondents said they are familiar with available resources to help them manage their wellness

Student survey:

• 69 percent of respondents said they want to take a hybrid combination of in-person and online classes; 21 percent want all in-person classes
• 56 percent of respondents said they feel very comfortable or comfortable with returning to campus in the fall
• 55 percent of respondents said they would feel uncomfortable around someone who is not wearing a mask