WAUKESHA – As part of a UW System initiative, the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha will be offering a campus climate survey to its faculty, staff, and students March 31-April 18.  The 13 campuses of the UW Colleges plus UW Colleges Online and central administrative offices, UW-La Crosse, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, and UW-Stevens Point all are participating in this effort. Results will be applied throughout the UW System in trying to make each site comfortable and welcoming for students, faculty and staff. 

Provosts from the participating institutions have approved the survey and chancellors support it. UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor David Wilson states, “I value and believe in the central importance of an open, tolerant, welcoming work and learning environment, and in respect for the minds and creativity of all people, being ever mindful of the richness inherent in the widely diverse backgrounds of those in our campus communities.”

In order to make the campus a better place to learn and work, the campus must hear from as many of those who experience it as possible, i.e., students, staff, and faculty. The first step is to assess the current climate, then identify important issues and create ways to address them.

The results will be applied at each of the 13 UW Colleges campuses, UW Colleges Online, and the UW Colleges central administrative offices in Madison to enhance the climate.  They will assist the university in developing recommendations for inclusion and diversity as well as a welcoming atmosphere for all.

The survey is confidential and anonymous and can be completed either online or in written form.  Each campus will receive reports of group results only and no individual will be identifiable.  To encourage participation, respondents who complete the survey may enter a drawing for a $50 or a $100 gift certificate to the campus bookstore.  A total of six $50 and two $100 certificates will be given away across the UW Colleges.

UW-Waukesha associate professor of sociology Ron Gulotta chairs the UW Colleges Diversity Leadership Committee, which is sponsoring the survey. Lisa Seale, UW Colleges Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, serves as its staff contact. To reach her phone (608) 263-7217 or e-mail lisa.seale@uwc.edu.

UW-Waukesha has the largest enrollment among the 13 freshman-sophomore University of Wisconsin Colleges campuses, offering associate of arts & science degrees and the best start on a college degree and unlimited career opportunities. For information about programs, admission or financial aid, contact the Student Services office at 888-2UW-WAUK (888-289-9285) or visit the Web at waukesha.uwc.edu.

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