Campuswide surveys from 2008-2012 reveal striking differences in students’ experiences at Berkeley. For example, 30 percent of African Americans surveyed over the past five years in the UC Undergraduate Experience Survey (UCUES) felt a gap between the importance of diversity to them as opposed to the importance of diversity to UC Berkeley. On average, one out of every four Chicano or Latino students disagreed that his or her ethnic group was respected on this campus, though importantly over the past five years this sentiment appears to have improved.
For many of you, these statistics, while alarming, come as no surprise. Nevertheless, they raise critical questions for our community: How can we empower our students to be world leaders if we do not cultivate a campus climate of inclusivity and safety? How do we responsibly engage graduate and professional students, faculty and staff? How effective are the existing structures in counteracting these issues? How are our experiences informed by the multiple spaces and places on campus?
Although there is much that remains unclear about the upcoming challenges in our approach to addressing issues regarding campus climate, we urge you to exercise your voice and join us in urging administration to collaborate with students on issues regarding campus climate. Our chance begins Feb. 5. In the largest survey of its kind in the history of higher education, UC Berkeley will join all UC campuses in administering the 2013 Campus Climate Survey.
Please take this survey. Turnout is crucial. Without a large enough number of responses, we will be limited in what we can learn about the groups least represented among us.
You will (or have already) received an email from Chancellor Birgeneau and Vice Chancellor Basri with your personalized “token” or link for taking the survey. If you cannot find that email, you can access the survey through the survey website (http://campusclimate.berkeley.edu).
Simply click on “Take the Survey” and follow the directions to log in with your CalNet ID.
The Campus Climate Survey is 100 percent confidential. After signing in, your identity is stripped from the data, and you will stop getting official reminders to take the survey. You can take it online or in print. In both situations, your identity remains hidden.
As if improving campus life weren’t enough incentive to participate, the university is offering a range of prizes for participation. Systemwide, one lucky undergraduate will get a $10,000 scholarship. Also being offered are two $5,000 post-undergraduate stipends. There are also prizes specific to UC Berkeley students, including 10 $100 Cal 1 Cards. There are prizes specifically for faculty and staff as well. Go to http://campusclimate.berkeley.edu to see a complete list.
At Berkeley, we like to say we take pride in our diversity. This cannot be true if we allow these disparities to persist. To become a true leader in equity and inclusion, we must first be willing to face our limitations. Your answers to this survey will contribute an important first step.
Prabhdeep Kehal, Cynthia Ledesma and Carl Nadler are student representatives on the Campus Climate Survey implementation team.
Contact the opinion desk at [email protected]