Pitt’s ongoing mission is to maintain a campus environment that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all students. Sexual violence and misconduct, racism, and discrimination have no place at a 21st century institution of higher learning.
The University has regularly partnered with research coalitions and organizations, including the Association of American Universities (AAU) and Westat, to assess aspects of the educational and employment climate across its campuses.
These surveys help the University spot negative or concerning trends, take corrective actions, and monitor its progress.
HESMA Campus Climate Survey 2024
- 2024 Invitation Letter
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Dear Student:
Providing a safe place for everyone to work and study is our top priority at the University of Pittsburgh. Our first step toward reducing and eliminating sex- and gender-based violence is understanding where, and how, it’s occurring.
You may have already heard about the upcoming Higher Education Sexual Misconduct & Awareness Survey, which Chancellor Gabel mentioned in her message a few days ago. Pitt is one of 10 universities participating in this confidential survey, being administered by an outside agency called Westat.
In a few days, you will receive a link to the survey, which is designed to help colleges and universities understand and address issues related to sexual misconduct and awareness. Each email contains a unique link that can only be used by the recipient.
Please consider taking the survey and answer as honestly as possible. Your responses will help us gauge areas where we’ve made progress and also where we need to do more. We’re trying to identify places where our efforts are making a difference — and change those things that aren’t as successful.
Pitt has participated these surveys before; the one we conducted in 2019, for instance, helped lead to new and expanded sexual assault education on campus, plus our new stand-alone prevention office. Our goal is to provide a learning environment for everyone that is inclusive, welcoming, and free from the fear of violence, intimidation or harassment.
I appreciate your help with this important task that will make life at the University better for everyone. Thank you for reading this email, have a great semester, and Hail to Pitt!
Sincerely,
Clyde Wilson Pickett, Ed.D. (EDUC ’17G)
Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Chief Diversity Officer - 2024 Results
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Providing a safe place for everyone to work and study is our top priority at the University of Pittsburgh. Our first step toward reducing and eliminating sex- and gender-based violence is understanding where, and how, it’s occurring.
Pitt is one of 10 universities that participated in Higher Education Sexual Misconduct & Awareness Survey, administered by an outside agency called Westat. The survey was designed to help colleges and universities understand and address issues related to sexual misconduct and awareness.
Results are currently pending and will be released soon.
HEDS Diversity and Equity Campus Climate 2023 Survey
- Diversity & Equity Campus Climate Survey
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In partnership with the Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium, Pitt administered the Diversity & Equity Campus Climate Survey in the winter of 2023 to all members of the University community.
The survey gauged perceptions of how each university supports diversity, inclusion, and equity; individual experiences with discrimination and harassment on each campus; and the community’s knowledge of resources related to reporting discrimination and harassment.
AAU Climate Surveys
- 2024 Campus Climate Survey
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Results of the 2024 AAU Climate Survey are currently pending.
This national survey of student attitudes and experiences regarding sexual violence and harassment is conducted by the Association of American Universities (AAU) across 33 institutions that voluntarily participate.
Additional information on the surveys and how Pitt addresses sexual assault and harassment is available on the University of Pittsburgh website.
- 2019 Campus Climate Survey
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For information and updates about the 2019 AAU Campus Climate Survey or to download a copy, please visit the links below.
- 2016 Campus Activities – Progress Report
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In 2016, AAU distributed a related survey which did not seek information from students on their experiences, but instead asked the participating universities whether they had made recent changes to their practices relating to sexual misconduct.
- Significant University-wide actions since the 2015 AAU Campus Climate Survey includes:
- Adoption of a new Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedure that includes a recurring training requirement for faculty and staff.
- Increased Peer Education Programs focused on Consent and Healthy Relationships.
- Redesigned New Student Orientation to provide improved prevention education.
- Increased training for faculty and staff, through on-line and in-person sessions.
- Education for graduate students to increase knowledge of resources and reporting options.
- Worked closely with LGBTQ populations through office hours and programming.
Based on internal feedback and on our experience interacting with participants in the internal sexual misconduct process, the effectiveness of our education and training efforts for students, faculty, and staff has increased. We have also seen an increase in knowledge of resources available on campus, understanding of the reporting process, and the responsible employee role.
- 2015 Campus Climate Survey
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For information about the 2015 AAU Campus Climate Survey or to download a copy, please visit the links below.
- Campus Climate Survey: AAU Aggregate Report
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To view the full results and aggregate tables of all participating universities, please visit the AAU website.