South Middlesex Times

On April 8, the university's first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Campus Climate Survey results will be discussed at a webinar led by Enobong (Anna) Branch, senior vice president for equity at Rutgers. The survey, which received 12,725 responses from nearly 77,000 eligible faculty, staff, and students, aimed to gauge perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion across the university.

According to Branch, "The survey results show a university in progress and reflect the journey we are on." The findings will help establish a baseline understanding of the climate at Rutgers and guide leaders in making decisions to support an inclusive campus community. The webinar will also address the importance of assessing DEI campus climate and how the data can be utilized by university leaders.

Branch highlighted the launch of an online Diversity Plan Progress Inventory, which received nearly 1,000 action item submissions in its first year. This inventory tracks the progress made across the university in implementing the University Diversity Strategic Plan. Branch stated, “In the first year of the inventory, we received nearly 1,000 action item submissions that reflect both the breadth and depth of activity occurring across the university within chancellor-led and central administrative units.”

After the webinar, the survey findings will be made available on the University Equity and Inclusion website for further review. Furthermore, the Diversity Plan Progress Inventory portal is now open for submissions for the 2023-2024 academic year, with a closing date of July 15th.