Survey Results Available Now
The results of the School of Dentistry’s climate survey are available in full as a PDF and as a condensed slide presentation (PDF). An executive summary is available as well. These documents were authored by Rankin & Associates, the consultants for the climate survey project.
Download the reports (MyAccess required)
Next Steps
A series of lunch-hour facilitated discussions took place in November. They included groups of faculty, staff and students. Their review of the climate survey results will provide School leadership with actionable proposals to implement in order to enhance the School of Dentistry’s climate.
By the end of January, School leadership will share the prioritized action items, their implementation timeline, and the people responsible for these interventions. This will be an iterative process with additional actions implemented over time and their status communicated to the School via quarterly reports.
This survey will provide an amazing opportunity for all to express their experiences in our school’s environment while learning, working, serving and growing.
Dr. George Taylor, associate dean for diversity and inclusion
What was the climate survey?
The climate survey was a set of questions that will measure experiences, attitudes and perceptions across a wide range of topics specific to the School of Dentistry. All members of the school community – students, faculty, staff, post-doctoral scholars and trainees – were encouraged to participate. The analysis and synthesis of the anonymous survey will allow us to develop strategic initiatives that build on the successes and address the potential challenges we learn from community members in the assessment process data.
Why was a survey done?
To create the conditions for individuals within our community to be successful, feel welcomed and enjoy personal fulfillment, we must understand how they are experiencing the school’s working environment. The climate survey results have produced the data necessary to measure what aspects of the School’s climate need improvement. The results from this assessment will provide the School's community and leadership with valuable information that will assist in planning for the future and enacting positive change in our climate.
How was the assessment being conducted and by whom?
Drs. George Taylor and Linda Centore lead the school’s Climate Survey Working Group (CSWG), which has worked collaboratively with an external consultant, Rankin & Associates Consulting, to execute this assessment. The CSWG, which is comprised of 21 representatives from a diverse cross-section of the School community, was charged with the development, implementation and interpretation of the survey. In order to ensure that the most relevant questions relating to school climate were asked in the survey, the CSWG convened 18 focus groups consisting of a broad spectrum of members of the School community to help finalize the survey’s creation. Rankin & Associates Consulting was engaged to assist with administration of the survey, data analysis, reporting survey results, and developing strategic initiatives based on those results.
When did the survey take place?
The survey took place Feb. 13-March 12, with an overall response rate of 47 percent by faculty, staff and students.
Rankin & Associates presented the climate survey results on:
- Sept. 26 to the Climate Survey Work Group and to School of Dentistry Leadership
- Sept. 27 at two town hall meetings for the full School community
- Sept. 29 at the all-faculty retreat