The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, in collaboration with Institutional Research, Human Resources, and Student Affairs, administered Pratt’s first integrated Campus Climate Survey for all students, faculty, and staff in November 2019.
The 2019 Pratt Campus Climate Survey was completed by 1,452 community members, with a 19.6% overall participation rate. The majority of survey respondents (45%) were full-time undergraduate students, followed by 17% full-time graduate students, 16% full-time staff, 14% part-time faculty, and 4% full-time faculty. The remaining 4% of respondents were continuing education students, part-time students, and temporary and part-time staff. Of the respondents, 86% were affiliated with the Brooklyn campus, 12% with the Manhattan campus, and 2% with the Pfizer Building and other locations.
Survey Highlights:
- Accessibility – Respondents largely agree that Pratt is responsive to the needs of community members with disabilities. Most respondents with disabilities indicated that their accessibility needs were met, with adequate accommodations provided. Some respondents expressed interest in learning more about on-campus resources and Pratt’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) – Most respondents agreed they are treated with mutual respect and felt confident that Pratt’s administration and policies support DEI efforts. Many also reported gaining knowledge of DEI topics due to their Pratt experience. However, underrepresented minority (URM) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) respondents reported less positive experiences in some DEI-related areas.
- Belonging and Campus Culture—Many respondents reported feeling a sense of belonging and value on campus, describing the campus culture as welcoming but noting a need for greater inclusivity. URM, LGBTQ+ respondents, and international students expressed slightly less positive satisfaction in this area.
- Title IX and Sexual Misconduct—Most respondents expressed satisfaction with Title IX policies and procedures, feeling confident that complaints would be kept confidential and that they would be protected from retaliation during an investigation. LGBTQ+ respondents, however, were less positive on several Title IX-related statements.
- Safety – Most respondents reported feeling safe on campus and trusted the Pratt Administration and Campus Safety Officers to actively ensure their safety. LGBTQ+ respondents were less positive regarding campus safety.
- Bias, Discrimination, and Harassment – Most respondents believed incidents of harassment and discrimination would be taken seriously and addressed by Pratt’s administration. However, Asian, Black, and international students reported a higher likelihood of experiencing bias or discrimination, and some felt they were denied opportunities based on their identity.
While the overall results of the Campus Climate Survey were positive, certain groups expressed lower satisfaction, including:
- Asian community members
- Black community members
- Community members with disabilities
- International students
- LGBTQ+ community members
To address these concerns, the DEI Council integrated more focused strategies into the DEI Strategic Plan to better support the specific needs of these communities.