We are committed to fostering an inclusive, people-centered culture. The Fall 2024 climate survey builds on the important work and input gathered from URI’s inaugural campus climate survey conducted in Spring 2021. Our community shared their experiences and perceptions concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion at URI. Subsequent discussions about the survey’s findings resulted in a list of recommendations, the status of which is provided below as of September 2024. URI will continue to improve based on community members’ feedback in response to the 2024 climate survey.
2021 Climate Survey Recommendations :
- RECOMMENDATION: Create a safer campus, which includes preventing sexual assault and harassment, providing more support to individuals affected by sexual misconduct, and implementing strong bias-response policies.
- ACTIONS:
- Complete. URI hired its first full-time Title IX Coordinator in Summer 2024.
- Ongoing. The Bias Resource Team annually reviews its procedures and composition.
- RECOMMENDATION: Address challenges that disproportionately affect women faculty and staff. Such challenges include childcare, the workplace impact of COVID-19, service loads, and sexual assault.
- ACTIONS: In Progress and Ongoing.
- With the hiring of the Title IX Coordinator, increased sexual violence prevention efforts are underway.
- A new Director for the Women’s Center began at URI in Fall 2023, hosting signature programs such as Spill the Tea to create space for candid conversations on addressing these challenges sustainably.
- RECOMMENDATION: Provide more opportunities for faculty and staff of color to engage with University leaders and one another.
- ACTIONS: In progress and Ongoing.
- President Marc Parlange regularly hosts gatherings for faculty and staff of color in his office, at his home, and at student extracurricular events.
- Through collaborations with the Office of Community, Equity, and Diversity, the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, and the Assistant Deans for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, URI has supported Connection & Celebration events to cultivate community for faculty and staff of color.
- RECOMMENDATION: Ensure staff and employee interests are considered in URI Board of Trustees proceedings.
- ACTIONS: Complete and Ongoing. President Parlange allocated resources and hired URI’s inaugural Vice President for Human Resources in the Fall of 2024. All members of the President’s Executive Council, including the Vice President for Human Resources, attend Board of Trustees meetings.
- RECOMMENDATION: Offer greater employee knowledge- and skills-enhancing professional development opportunities. This includes job-related training and development and specific learning in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- ACTIONS:
- Complete. As of October 1, 2024, completing URI’s Recruitment, Selection, and Hiring Training is required to serve on search committees.
- In Progress and Ongoing. The Office of Community, Equity, and Diversity has posted a Community Organization and Development Director position to assist with campus-wide and unit-specific justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion training initiatives.
- RECOMMENDATION: Evaluate and optimize recognition and funding models for student organizations, especially multicultural student organizations at URI. As appropriate, implement strategic resource support for targeted student activities or organizations.
- ACTIONS: Complete and Ongoing.
- Student Senate supports all registered student organizations with administrative support from the Office of Student Involvement.
- The identity-affirming centers work closely with M.U.S.I.C. and its affiliated multicultural student organizations to ensure they have an assigned faculty or staff advisor, assist with planning and supporting their programs, and help navigate Student Senate policies and procedures.
- RECOMMENDATION: Improve unit- and university-level cultures of employee recognition and appreciation.
- ACTIONS: Complete and Ongoing.
- The Offices of the President and Community, Equity, and Diversity partnered to re-institute the Inclusive Excellence Awards in Spring 2024.
- President Parlange hosts annual Welcome Back socials at his home to recognize and celebrate faculty and staff contributions.
Participation
Students
18% response rate
Faculty
42% response rate
Staff
43% response rate