DEI Campus Climate Survey

In Spring 2022, Tufts conducted its first university-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Campus Climate survey. 

Nearly 5,200 students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty (including adjunct faculty), and staff participated in the anonymous survey, making the response rate just over 29%. 

Survey goals

Tufts community members created this survey collaboratively to identify priorities and opportunities for change, growth, and improvement. The survey explored individual experiences of belonging and inclusion; bias, harassment, and discrimination; and academic, professional, and financial stress. It also collected a wide range of demographic data, including some information not otherwise gathered and reported at Tufts. 

Initial findings

In many cases, survey respondents from historically excluded and underrepresented groups reported less positive experiences than their peers. While most respondents reported satisfaction with the campus climate, capturing the differences helps us quantify and clarify what many of us experience or hear anecdotally: at Tufts, identity, role, income, and ability all impact experience. 

Our own experiences and backgrounds may shape our reactions to these findings. For many of us, the data is consistent with lived or observed experience, while for others, the findings may be surprising or enlightening. 

What’s next

In the coming months, we’ll share opportunities to engage with this data. The university will share a more comprehensive summary of next steps by summer 2023 and a more complete report of findings during the 2023-2024 academic year.