Dear Tulane Community:
Over the past several years, we have increased and accelerated the number of transformational initiatives designed to create a more equitable, diverse and inclusive university dedicated to eradicating sexual violence.
An important part of these initiatives has been to seek a deeper understanding of our campus community’s experiences relative to sexual misconduct, racial injustice and discriminatory behavior based on gender, sexual orientation, nationality, veteran status, religious affiliation, or other social identities. These are issues that impact every segment of our society – and certainly influence university life and the individual members of our Tulane community. To ensure that our current efforts in these areas and those going forward are informed by the lived experiences of our community, we have planned to administer two climate surveys: the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Climate Survey and the Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey.
We had scheduled the EDI Climate Survey this fall and the Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey in the spring of 2022. Unfortunately, due to the disruption and delay caused by Hurricane Ida and the continued recovery, we are rescheduling the EDI Climate Survey to the fall of 2022. We know that many of our community members will be disappointed with the delay in the EDI Climate Survey, as we are. Please know that the decision to delay the EDI survey to the fall of 2022 was made only after much deliberation and in close consultation with the President’s Commission on Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion’s Climate Survey Subcommittee. In collaboration with the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, this subcommittee is tasked with reviewing how the racial climate is assessed across campus with special attention to intersectionality and building capacity for a whole-school climate survey that will ensure the highest participation rates. The Sexual Misconduct Survey, which was previously delayed in spring 2021 due to the pandemic, will be administered as currently planned in spring 2022.
Both of these surveys are vital as they will provide informed assessments of the Tulane community’s experiences of EDI and sexual misconduct. This information will be central to increasing our understanding and directing our next steps as we work to build a community that lives our values every day, as well as to providing information that will allow us to assess our progress as this crucial work continues.
As we await the rollout of these university-wide assessments, be assured of our continued commitment and constant vigilance regarding these issues and our laser-focus on building a more equitable, diverse, inclusive and safer Tulane.
Michael A. Fitts President
Robin Forman Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Patrick Norton Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Carolyn Barber-Pierre Assistant Vice President for Intercultural Life Campus Climate Survey Committee Co-Chair
Julia Broussard Interim Assistant Provost for Title IX Campus Climate Survey Committee Member
Michael Cunningham Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Research Commission on Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Co-Chair
Mollye Demosthenidy Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives, SPHTM Campus Climate Survey Committee Co-Chair
Will Ferbos Associate Vice President for Institutional Affairs and Deputy Chief of Staff Commission on Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion administrative liaison
Kelly Grant Senior Associate Dean for Retention and Student Success, NTC Commission on Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Co-Chair
Jessica Shedd Assistant Provost for Assessment and Institutional Research Campus Climate Survey Committee Member
Eva Silvestre EDI Data Strategist, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Clinical Assistant Professor, SPHTM Campus Climate Survey Committee Member
Anneliese Singh Associate Provost for Diversity and Faculty Development and Chief Diversity Officer Commission on Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Co-Chair
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