Belk College Launches Diversity and Inclusion Climate Survey

October 17, 2021
Categories: DBA, MACC, MAFI, MBA, MS Economics, MS in Management, MS Real Estate, News, PhD Business Administration

To identify strengths and opportunities related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business is asking all its faculty, staff, students and administrators to complete a collegewide campus climate survey.

The survey, coordinated by the Belk College Diversity and Inclusion Analytics Taskforce, launched on Oct. 18 and runs through Nov. 8.

“The survey aligns with the Belk College’s core value of fostering an environment that is based on mutual respect, broadens understanding, and builds trust,” said Belk College Dean Jennifer Troyer. “We want to hear from all students, faculty and staff through the survey. Business Niners: Your voice counts.”

The survey, administered by The Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium (HEDS), asks students, faculty, staff, and administrators about their perceptions of their institution’s climate; perceptions of how their institution supports diversity and equity; and experiences with discrimination and harassment at their institution.

All Belk College faculty, staff and graduate and undergraduate students received the survey via an email from HEDS on Oct. 18.

Blake Horridge, director of academic planning and accreditation and co-chair of the task force, says HEDS was chosen because of its long experience assessing diversity and equity at institutions of higher education.

“The consortium provides independent, comparative data from diverse institutions, uses well-vetted instruments, and has significant experience administering climate surveys,” Horridge said. “In this role, HEDS provides us with the expertise needed for the development, implementation and interpretation of the survey and results. It also ensures that an independent third-party collects data in such a way that responses remain anonymous.”

The first year of the survey will offer the college benchmarks from which to measure future results, he said. Because numerous universities administer the HEDS Diversity and Equity Climate Survey to their campus communities, the Belk College will be able to take advantage of comparative analytics.

Those who complete the survey will be entered for a chance to win several great prizes, including $25 Amazon gift cards and Belk College swag.

Results of the survey will be released in spring 2022.

For more information, visit the Belk College Climate Survey website.

Belk College DEI Initiative

The survey is part of a larger DEI initiative that was launched by Belk College Dean Jennifer Troyer in summer 2020 in the wake of the international conversation around racial injustice.

More and more, businesses are looking to business schools to prepare students who are culturally competent leaders and can advance diversity and inclusion efforts that are embedded in their business strategies, Troyer said.

The initiative has focused on several areas, including:

  • The development of a Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit for faculty and staff.

  • Two new DEI subcommittees for the Belk College Board of Advisors to identify and recruit adjunct faculty from underrepresented groups, and to better serve our underrepresented students.

  • The establishment of the Dean’s Award for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, an annual award to recognize faculty and staff for their commitment to fostering an inclusive environment in which diversity is understood, valued, respected and supported.

  • Adding strengthening diversity as one of the top five goals within the college’s recently adopted five-year strategic plan.

  • A focus on DEI at collegewide events and programming, including the Dean’s Leadership Series and a virtual program on discussing diversity co-hosted by the Belk College Alumni Council.

Green and Gold Drive Business
Established in 1970, UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business is one of the Carolinas’ largest business schools, with more than 5,100 students, more than 100 full-time faculty, and an alumni network of more than 34,000. Accredited by AACSB International, the college is committed to building strong partnerships in the greater Charlotte region and beyond as North Carolina’s urban research business school. Learn more about how the Belk College is driving business at belkcollege.charlotte.edu, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.