During the spring of 2019 from January 14 – February 15 for employees and February 5 – March 15 for students, College of the Mainland will distribute its second campus-wide climate survey to identify strengths and opportunities related to diversity, equity and inclusion to all faculty, staff, students and administrators.

COM 2018 Climate Study

Climate Study Presentation

Why are we conducting this survey?

As we continue to grow, inclusion has become an increasingly integral focal point for COM due both to its changing demographics as an emerging Minority Serving Institution (MSI) with 53% students of color and our Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) status, currently with approximately 37% students. COM will assess our existing policies, programs, practices and people to determine whether current approaches effectively serve these students, and the faculty and staff that support them.

COM also seeks to foster a diverse and inclusive working environment where all employees - regardless of identity, rank or status - can be fully engaged. The resulting data will be used to create a strategic plan for diversity and inclusion that will guide our efforts for the coming years as we strive to become one of the greatest places to work, learn and grow.

What's Next?

After the survey is distributed, quantitative data will be analyzed to determine whether qualitative data is needed via focus groups. Such groups will be conducted in the spring and summer of 2019, after which the development of COM strategic plan for diversity, equity, and inclusion will begin. Survey data and the strategic plan will be shared in the Fall of 2019, and recommendations regarding COM’s infrastructure of policies, programs, practices and people will be made in alignment with the survey data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will my anonymity be protected?

The climate survey will be distributed by Survey Monkey, and respondents will be sent the appropriate constituent-specific tool (i.e. faculty, staff, student, or administrator) based upon college data requests. Respondents should answer the survey based upon their primary role with the college – i.e. if you are a full-time employee but a part-time student, respondents should answer the employee tool.

How do the results affect me?

COM’s second climate survey will provide a division-based “snapshot” of faculty, staff, student, and administrator perspectives, perceptions, and experiences of diversity, inclusion, harassment, and equity . The data will be disaggregated by various demographics asked in the survey to provide greater insights regarding student and employee experiences. Themes and trends identified in the survey will result in the creation of focus groups to collect more information.