The deadline to complete NSU’s Diversity Engagement Survey (DES) is Friday, Nov. 20. According to the email sent out to students and staff, the survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and is completely confidential and anonymous.
The DES aims to learn more about how NSU can support its students and staff. Jeremiah McCoy, the graduate assistant for operations and staff development in the Office of Recreation and Wellness, explains that the goal of the survey is to hear everyone’s perspective at NSU.
“Whether it be staff members, like individuals who do housekeeping, people who drive the Shark Shuttles, workers at Outtakes, all the way up to faculty members, graduate assistants, undergraduate students and deans and [vice presidents] of different departments, we just want to get an overall grasp of how much or how little someone may feel supported or not supported at NSU based on their different identities,” said McCoy.
The survey has a large selection to choose from in terms of identities and opinions. You can choose to share your race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, language, generational age group and position at NSU; or you can share none of those things. The first part of the survey also asks the taker to rate different statements on how true they are about NSU’s current diversity engagement. Anyone who fills out the survey may choose to share as little or as much as they are comfortable with.
“The results will be used to inform and shape future efforts related to inclusion, diversity and belonging here at NSU. The more people in the NSU community who respond will allow us to provide more meaningful and impactful assistance throughout the community,” said McCoy.
Students who are coming to college for the first time may be exposed to new things that they had never encountered before and providing opportunities for students to learn about these things allows the community to come together and become stronger.
“We want to support students throughout all aspects of their journey through college. It’s a great way to get feedback on how we can support different communities better because you don’t have to disclose your name or anything else you don’t want to share,” said McCoy.
NSU is also working with a consultant who specializes in this subject, that will use the results of the survey to construct programming and systems that will better support both students and staff who may currently feel like they don’t belong or are not supported. It is important for the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff to like where they live and work and feel included.
Creating a more inclusive environment also allows NSU to act as an example for other universities.
“Diversity engagement sets a pace for institutions across the country, so we need to stay relevant and on top of it. We need to be able to understand what we’re doing well, and then, learn about the areas that we can improve. It may be a little uncomfortable, but if you’re uncomfortable, you’re growing,” said McCoy.
Make sure to check your NSU email for the diversity engagement survey or visit http://www.nova.edu/diversity-engagement-survey/ to learn more.
