Kean University’s Campus Climate Survey FAQ
Kean University is undertaking a campus assessment known as the Campus Climate Survey. Every member of the Kean USA community (all students, faculty and staff) is encouraged to participate.
What is the Campus Climate Survey?
The Campus Climate Survey is a campus assessment, a confidential questionnaire seeking input from every member of the campus community, designed to gather information on the experiences of students, faculty and staff at Kean USA and their attitudes about the University. The information will be used to assess Kean’s policies and practices regarding inclusion and equity as well as help the University develop new policies and practices to further support individual needs, abilities and potential.
Your experiences, opinions and voices matter, and we encourage every member of the campus community to participate.
What does “campus climate” mean?
Rankin & Associates Consulting, which is serving as the outside consultant firm for the Kean University climate survey, defines campus climate as “the current attitudes, behaviors, standards and practices of employees and students of an institution.” The climate is often shaped through personal experiences, perceptions and institutional efforts.
Why is Kean University conducting the Campus Climate Survey?
Equity is a top priority at Kean. Understanding the climate of the University is key to supporting and advancing policies and programs that support equal access, inclusion and successful outcomes for the entire Kean community. Examples of successful outcomes include positive educational experiences and healthy identity development for students, and productivity and a sense of value for faculty and staff, as well as overall well-being for all.
Why is a Campus Climate Survey important?
We seek to create an environment characterized by openness, fairness and equal access for all students, staff and faculty. The results of our Campus Climate Survey will better enable us to develop programs and policies that will increase inclusivity and improve our campus culture and climate.
The target participation in the survey is all students, faculty and staff at Kean USA. Every response matters and is valuable in providing the most beneficial feedback and results.
Why should I participate?
This is a chance for your voice to be heard. Every voice counts equally, and every voice matters. This is your opportunity to influence positive, lasting change at Kean and to help create a more inclusive campus. The survey also invites further written feedback, so you may also provide a narrative description about your Kean experiences.
Who will be conducting the survey?
Kean’s Climate Study Working Group (CSWG) is charged with conducting Kean’s climate survey. After a review of potential vendors, the committee selected Rankin & Associates Consulting to conduct the survey. Rankin & Associates has conducted over 200 campus climate assessment projects over the last 20 years.
Rankin & Associates reports directly to the committee. Although the CSWG will regularly update the Kean administration about its progress, the committee — in consultation with Rankin & Associates — is solely responsible for the development, implementation and interpretation of the survey and its results.
Are my responses kept confidential?
Yes. Your answers to the survey will be kept confidential and will be incorporated into a final report of all findings
How is my confidentiality protected?
The consultant will take multiple precautionary measures to enhance individual confidentiality and the de-identification of data. No data already protected through regulation or policy (e.g., Social Security number, campus identification number, medical information) is obtained through the survey. In the event of any publication or presentation resulting from the assessment, no personally identifiable information will be shared.
Participation in the survey is completely voluntary, and participants do not have to answer every question and can skip any questions that make them feel uncomfortable. Paper and pencil surveys are also available and will be sent directly to the consultant.
What protections are in place for storage of sensitive data, including for future secondary use?
Kean has worked with the consultant to develop a research data security description and protocol, which includes specific information on data encryption, the handling of personally identifiable information, physical security and a protocol for handling unlikely breaches of data security. The data from online participants will be submitted to a secure server hosted by the consultant.
What will be included in the final summary reports?
The consultant will provide a final report that will provide high-level summaries of the findings and will identify themes found in the data. Generalizations for populations are limited to those groups or subgroups with response rates of at least 30%. The committee will review draft reports and provide feedback to the consultant prior to public release.
Why do some demographic questions contain a very large number of response options?
It is important in campus climate research for survey participants to “see” themselves in response choices and to reduce the number of respondents who must choose “other.” Given that, survey respondents will see a long list of possible choices for many demographic questions. However, it is reasonably impossible to include every possible choice to every question.
What is the timeline?
This initiative will include five primary phases: Survey Development (Fall 2021); Survey Implementation that will seek input from all students, faculty, and staff at Kean (Spring 2022); Reporting of Results (Fall 2022); and Action Development Forums (Fall 2022).
Will I see the report?
Everyone in the Kean community will have access to the final report for the first time during a live release presentation in Fall 2022. Please note: There will be no access to the final report by any member of the community before it is released publicly.
Where can I learn more?
Kean’s Campus Climate Survey website will provide information on the survey process, FAQs and results. This website will be shared with all Kean community members — students, faculty and staff — via Kean email.
Who do I contact with any questions or feedback?
Your questions and comments are very important as we move through this process. Please share by emailing climatesurvey@kean.edu.