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When "Climate" Change Might be a Good Thing

Assessing and Enhancing Diversity in Academic Environments


The AAVMC and AVMA DiVersity Matters College Climate Survey wrapped up May 9. This research survey, conducted by Dr. Paige Carmichael at the University of Georgia and Lisa Greenhill, the AAVMC's associate executive director for Institutional Research and Diversity, is designed to assess the current campus climate with respect to diversity at each U.S. school or college of veterinary medicine.

The survey achieved an impressive final national response rate of 48.1 percent, with nearly one-third of US schools having response rates well over 50 percent.  Cornell University achieved the highest response rate with 93 percent participating.

"One key thing we’ve found is that we will really be able to *see* the LGBT community in this survey and that creates such exciting opportunities for us to do some great work with LGVMA and the new student group, Broad Spectrum," Greehill said.

The findings will inform national efforts to develop enhanced national programming and guidance on best practices for improving and maintaining successful, supportive academic climates within AAVMC member institutions. A parallel survey, led by Suzie Kovacs at Western University in conjunction with the AAVMC, will soon be sent to administrators, faculty and staff.

Nationally aggregated findings will be presented during the course of the next year, culminating in an article that will be submitted for publication in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education.

The student survey has received IRB approval through the University of Georgia.

A copy of the survey instrument can be found here.
A copy of the survey's informational informed consent can be found here. 
 
AAVMC-AVMA Diversity Matters Climate Survey Response Rates by Institution as of 12:00pm, May 9, 2011:



 

For more information about the AAVMC-AVMA DiVersity Matters Climate Survey, please contact Lisa Greenhill at lgreenhill@aavmc.org. 


For information on the Employee College Climate Survey, please click here.
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