The Office of Institutional Research at Brown University created a data dashboard that includes key results from the 2023 Campus Climate Survey. To navigate the dashboard, please click here.

2023 Campus Climate Survey

In Spring 2023 Brown University conducted a Campus Climate Survey. The confidential online survey was developed by Brown in collaboration with Gallup, an independent consulting firm, and is part of the University's efforts to better understand and improve community members' learning, working, and living environments on campus. All staff, students, and faculty were invited to participate in the survey, which was open April 4-30, 2023. For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.


Brown University 2023 Campus Climate Survey FAQs

What is campus climate?
“Campus climate” has been defined by scholars as how community members experience and understand aspects of inclusion and sense of belonging on campus in social, academic, and work environments. Studies of campus climate look at how community members’ experiences with opportunity, support, bias, access, and other aspects of campus life may differ across identities. The aim of a campus climate study is to identify areas where the University needs to improve policies, structures, and supports to achieve a more equitable and inclusive environment for all.


Why is the university launching a campus climate survey?
In 2016, the University launched the Pathways to Diversity & Inclusion: An Action Plan for Brown University (DIAP) to articulate a set of concrete, achievable actions that will make Brown a more diverse and inclusive community. A major goal of the DIAP was to develop metrics for measuring progress and to create accountability for the implementation of these actions. To that end, the last campus climate survey took place in 2018 and aimed to understand the perceptions and experiences of Brown community members regarding the campus climate. Periodic climate data collection and evaluation of programs and initiatives should be undertaken regularly to monitor progress regarding specific climate issues and concerns raised by members of the Brown community. Brown’s 2023 campus climate survey is the latest iteration of that effort and will contribute to the University’s work toward more equitable and inclusive living and learning environments.
 

Why should I participate in the survey?
This is your opportunity to let Brown know your perspectives on and experiences of our campus climate. Your participation is vital in helping us identify areas that need attention and in informing policies, initiatives, and programs that work toward a more equitable campus.
 

How will the information from the survey be used?
This confidential survey will be used to help inform, shape, create, and revise campus practices related to inclusion, equity, diversity, and DIAP-centered growth across campus and in individual departments, units, and divisions.
 

Who is conducting the survey?
The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED) and the Office of Institutional Research (OIR), in collaboration with a campus-wide committee, have partnered with Gallup, an external consulting firm, to administer the confidential survey.

 
The Campus Climate Survey is confidential. What does this mean?
Brown has partnered with Gallup, a nationally recognized consulting firm, to administer the survey. The data files that Gallup will send Brown will not include any names, email addresses, or institutional IDs. Only researchers in the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED) and the Office of Institutional Research (OIR) will have access to the data files. All reporting will be done in the aggregate and departments/units with five people or fewer will not receive department/unit-level reports. Individuals will not be identifiable in any presentations or reports related to this survey.
 

When will the survey be open?
The survey launches Tuesday, April 4th and will be open until Sunday, April 30th.
 

How long will it take to complete the survey?
The survey takes approximately 12 to 15 minutes to complete.
 

How do I access the survey?
You can access the survey through the personalized link sent to your Brown email address from Gallup. If you are interrupted when taking the survey and need to close your browser, you will be able to click on this link again and pick up where you left off. You can take the survey on your smartphone, laptop, desktop, or other device. You can also access the survey over the phone by calling Gallup’s Client Support number (1-888-332-9454). Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


What is the consent screen?
Informed consent is a voluntary agreement to participate in this survey. When you begin the survey, before any questions are displayed, you will see a screen that explains your rights as a participant and other information that you can use to decide whether you would like to participate. If you have questions about the consent screen, please contact the Office of Institutional Research (OIR) at [email protected].
 

What are the options for non-electronic completion?
The survey will be available to take over the telephone through Gallup Client Support. To take the survey over the telephone, contact Gallup’s Client Support by email ([email protected]) or by telephone (1-888-332-9454).
 

Will the survey be translated?
The employee survey will be available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

 

What types of questions should I expect on the survey?
The survey will ask you to share your experiences and perspectives on diversity and inclusion, support, belonging, workplace climate, bias, and related issues as they pertain to your time at Brown University.

 

Are there any survey incentives?
Everyone who participates in the survey will have the choice to enter a raffle to win one (1) prize. The raffle consists of twenty (20) $50 gift certificates to the Brown University Bookstore. You will be able to indicate whether you would like to enter the raffle on the final screen of the survey. Gallup will conduct the raffle and let the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED) know the names of the winners. Winners will be contacted by OIED shortly after the survey closes. (Note: Additional incentives for students were added during the survey's time in the field. These incentives included an Apple Watch, an iPad, and Bose headphones).
 

When will analysis and findings from the data be shared?
Reports and presentations summarizing the survey’s findings will be shared with the campus community beginning in fall 2023.
 

Any further questions?
You can contact the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED) at [email protected] with any further questions you have.