Diversity and Equity Campus Survey

Explore
group of woman standing in front of wall

As part of our new strategic plan goal around Inclusive Excellence, Wentworth partnered with the Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium (HEDS) to implement a campus climate survey focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion.

489 students and 364 employees completed the survey, which was administered in early 2020. The information provided focused on their experiences at Wentworth. This survey will give us a deeper understanding of our strengths, while identifying areas of improvement. The findings of this survey will guide current and future policies, programs and practices on campus.

Satisfaction with Campus Climate

  • 60% of respondents were satisfied with the overall campus climate at Wentworth
  • Men were 1.4 to 2.5 times more likely to be satisfied with the overall campus climate
  • Compared to other institutions, faculty were about equally likely to be satisfied with the overall campus climate
  • Wentworth students were equally as satisfied with the overall campus climate as students from other institutions
  • Non-U.S. citizens were among the most satisfied respondent groups regarding overall campus climate
  • Respondents who were 55 or older tended to be more satisfied with the overall campus climate than younger individuals, even when accounting for age differences in race/ethnicity, gender and campus roles
  • White individuals were 1.3 to 2.2 times more likely to be satisfied with the overall campus climate

Institutional Support and Leadership

  • Compared to other institutions, staff and administrators at Wentworth were less satisfied with diversity and equity leadership and support, compared to their counterparts at other institutions. This was especially the case among women
  • Students of color and LGBTQIA students at Wentworth were slightly more satisfied with diversity and equity leadership and support than students at other institutions

Discrimination or Harassment

  • Women were 1.6 to 3.3 times more likely than men to experience discrimination or harassment
  • LGBTQIA respondents were 0.8 to 2.1 times more likely to experience discrimination or harassment
  • Non-white respondents were 0.8 to 1.7 times more likely to experience discrimination or harassment
  • Respondents at Wentworth were equally as likely to experience discrimination or harassment as respondents at other schools (22%)
  • More female students reported personally experiencing discrimination or harassment at Wentworth than other institutions (31% vs. 25%). This was not the case for male students (19% vs. 21%)
  • Male students were less likely to believe insensitive or disparaging remarks were common at Wentworth than other schools (33% vs. 48%)
  • Respondents who were members of more than one traditionally marginalized group (e.g. Non-White and LGBTQIA) were significantly more likely to experience discrimination and harassment than respondents who were members of only one group

Perceived Value of Diversity on Campus

  • 82% of respondents agreed that diversity improves campus experience
  • Compared to political liberals, “middle-of-the-road” respondents were 2.5 times more likely to disagree that diversity improves campus experience, while conservatives were 3.0 times more likely
  • Students were about four times more likely than faculty and staff to disagree that diversity improves campus experience