What Is a Campus Climate Survey?
The campus climate survey examines institutional members’ experiences while on campus. The survey provides data necessary to support, strengthen and improve campus culture for students, faculty and staff. Data also helps institutions mitigate risks before they arise; address barriers to success; enhance student, staff and faculty retention; and develop future goals aligned with data-informed results and outcomes. This is an opportunity for all members of our campus community to provide feedback about your experiences and your sense of belonging and connection on our campus through a confidential and anonymous survey.
The data collected will provide insight into what shapes the experiences and perceptions of everyone on our campus and allow us to continue to focus on diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging efforts for students, faculty and staff. A campus climate survey can provide insight into what shapes the experiences and perceptions of diverse individuals on campus, helping institutions create an environment where everyone feels safe, welcome, valued and respected.
Goals of the NIU Campus Climate Survey
NIU’s campus climate survey results help us understand how our community experiences inclusion, respect and belonging, and are then used to inform improvements for students, faculty, staff and all employees.
The goals of the campus climate survey are:
- Create a baseline of data that will help NIU better understand how members of our university community interact and relate to one another that inform university goals and outcomes.
- Demonstrate and strengthen what is working.
- Address areas that negatively affect a healthy campus climate.
- Assess potential trends and risks to proactively work to address barriers, access, inclusion and equity in policies, procedures and resources.
Campus Climate Survey Working Group
The working group consisted of several faculty, staff and administrators representing various colleges and units across NIU and led by the Division of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Working group members:
- Michelle Bringas
- Amy Buhrow
- Rachel Gordon
- Sladjana Grbic
- Katy Jaekel
- Eric Junco
- Brandon Lagana
- Tawanda Paul
- Andy Pemberton
- Jenna Pracht
- Jade Silva Tovar (lead)
- Ana Velazquez
- Simon Weffer-Elizondo
Results
Results of our campus climate survey will be shared in a summative format for students and employees. Results will be provided in a report format produced by Viewfinder. Results will be available by the end of spring 2026.
Follow-up sessions to further discuss the results and to provide additional opportunities for the campus community to engage in dialogue will occur in fall 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Viewfinder?
Viewfinder Campus Climate Surveys was created by Potomac Publishing Inc., a WBENC-certified, woman-owned business that publishes “Insight Into Academia” magazine, the largest, oldest and most well-respected diversity and inclusion publication and website in higher education. The publication is known for the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only application-based recognition for U.S. institutions that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion across their campuses. Institutions selected as award winners are honored in annual HEED Award and Health Professions HEED Award issues.
Viewfinder’s long-term experience, expertise and relationships with other experts and thought leaders in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion has enabled them to create the most comprehensive campus climate survey instruments available for institutions of higher education. Viewfinder’s climate survey instruments were written in partnership with nearly a dozen chief diversity officers and senior administrators across the U.S. who come from all types of institutions and work on the front lines doing this work daily.
Viewfinder also reviewed the standards from higher education-accrediting organizations that affect campus climate and achievement of diversity-related accreditation criteria. Their surveys capture the essence of these standards through strategic inquiry to students, faculty, staff and administrators. This provides a more accurate snapshot of current campus climate conditions, as well as illuminates and links infrastructures to policy and practice underpinnings that improve an institution’s ability to make strategic improvements to its climate from its present state. Their surveys have been tested for reliability by an outside contractor.
To ensure anonymity, Viewfinder requests a CSV file (with email addresses only) for each constituent group and sends email invitations to potential survey participants via a custom SurveyMonkey link they create. Viewfinder also sends weekly reminders to take the survey or finish an incomplete survey. This method allows respondents to take the survey at their convenience and not have to complete it in one sitting. Each email address is given a unique survey link, allowing each person to only take the survey one time.
No employee outside of Campus Climate Surveys will ever be given access to the online surveys or data.
Participation in the incentive drawing takes place on a dedicated page on NIU’s institutional website
No, participation is not required.
How are giveaway items distributed?
Participants who complete the survey will be directed to an institutional website separate from the survey to enter their name into a drawing for a giveaway. Recipients will be randomly selected each week.
The campus climate survey will launch Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, and will close March 6, 2026.
What will be done with the results of the survey?
The data collected will provide insight into what shapes the experiences and perceptions of everyone on our campus and allow us to continue to focus on advancing our goals related to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
A summary report will be provided to university senior leaders to inform future actions and priorities.
Yes. We contracted with Viewfinder Campus Climate Surveys to use their survey instruments and to collect the survey data on behalf of NIU.
Reports will include NA for responses fewer than (#).
Was this survey approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
Given the nature of the project, the Institutional Review Board determined that the proposed activity is exempt.
What if I am having trouble accessing the survey?