The Climate Survey Advisory Committee (CSAC) has been charged to work collaboratively to develop the survey instrument that will be disseminated on campus in March 2010 (electronically and paper versions will be available). The committee meets almost weekly to discuss and shape the survey; Dr. Rankin has a "bank" of questions to select from that will allow us to cater the survey to meet our needs specifically.

On January 25th, fifteen focus groups will be conducted by Dr. Rankin and her consultants to inform the selection of questions for the survey. The focus groups will consist of five employee groups (faculty and staff) and six student groups; participants will be asked four questions (for purposes of illustration, the questions have been catered for the Hispanic/Latino/Latina students):

1. How would you describe the climate for the Hispanic/Latino/Latina students at West Chester University? Please feel welcome to provide examples.
2. What do you feel is the greatest challenge at West Chester University facing members of the Hispanic/Latino/Latina student community?
3. What suggestions do you have for improving the climate for members of the Hispanic/Latino/Latina student community?
4. Please describe any other concerns you may have about the climate at West Chester University, not necessarily those facing members of the Hispanic/Latino/Latina student community.

Information from the focus groups will be collated to inform survey development. The Campus Climate Survey will be available in March 2010. It is hoped that we have robust participation in the survey by faculty, staff and students so that we may use the results to identify important action steps to continuing to improve our campus climate and further our goals of diversity, inclusivity and civility.