Open from Jan. 27 to March 6, 2026.
NIU is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable campus environment. Every three years, the university conducts a campus climate survey to understand our campus community’s perceptions and experiences with inclusion, respect and belonging. Results are used to inform improvements for all students, faculty and staff.
NIU is partnering with Viewfinder, a national leader in diversity and inclusion assessment, to administer and analyze the survey.
If you’re enrolled as an NIU student or employed by the university as of Jan. 19, 2026, you’ll receive an email in your NIU account inviting you to take the survey. It will come from info@Viewfindersurveys.com, and the subject line will read, "The Northern Illinois University Viewfinder Campus Climate Survey is Now Open!"
The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Upon completion, students will be redirected to another website where they can choose to enter their contact information to enter a drawing for a giveaway.
Join us for tabling events throughout February to get buttons and other giveaways for participating.
By partnering with Viewfinder to collect survey data on our behalf, we’re able to ensure the confidentiality and anonymity of responses. Each student and employee will receive a unique survey link tied to their NIU email address. Viewfinder will only share aggregate data with NIU.
The giveaway entry form for students is separate from the survey, ensuring survey responses remain confidential and anonymous.
The survey includes personal and sensitive topics related to identities such as race, ethnicity, religious/spiritual beliefs, disabilities, veteran status, discrimination, gender, sexuality, sexual harassment and the overall campus experience. These topics may bring about different emotions, and there are several university resources available to support you before, during or after taking the survey.
For general questions or concerns about the survey, contact equity@niu.edu.
For student accommodations, contact the Disability Resource Center at drc@niu.edu or 815-753-1303.
For employee accommodations, contact ada@niu.edu or call 815-753-9191.
For technical assistance, contact info@Viewfindersurveys.com.