Administrators at the University of Missouri held two town forums on Sept. 12 and 13 to discuss the results of the Campus Climate Survey conducted in 2016. They say the survey reflects room for improvement.
The survey, conducted by the independent agency Rankin & Associates, included responses from nearly 10,000 MU students, faculty and staff. It shows that high percentages of students, faculty and staff at MU have “seriously considered leaving” the university, with more than 40 percent of students considering it in their first and second years each.
UM System President Mun Choi says the survey shows that the reasons for this are mostly interactions or experiences with peer groups and coworkers.
“While institutional policies are very important, it really is a climate survey of not the buildings in this university but the people,” Choi said. “We really have to think about how individually we’re going to be contributing. I believe that’s going to be a major emphasis for all of us.”
Lack of emotional and peer support was also cited as a major contributing factor. Chancellor Alexander Cartwright, along with Choi, said the school plans to spread awareness about different resources for students and staff on campus.
The survey also shows that only 66 percent of respondents said they were comfortable or very comfortable on campus, which is below the national average of 70 to 80 percent. The full 700-page report will be released Monday, Sept. 18.