Campus Climate Survey

Minnesota State University Moorhead strives to create a campus community that is diverse, inclusive, globally aware, and just. To achieve this goal, we endeavor to create a campus community that reflects the diversity of society, ensure we are accessible and welcoming to students and employees who have historically been under-served by higher education, create a campus culture that values and celebrates diversity of ideas, perspectives, and people, and create a campus community that is just and equitable.

To provide a better understanding of where we are as a university, MSU Moorhead participates in the Diversity and Equity Campus Climate Survey administered by the Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium (HEDS). Campus climate is a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) that is measured in the Minnesota State Equity Scorecard to align with the goals outlined in the Minnesota State Equity 2030 framework that sets to eliminate gaps in graduation outcomes.

This survey is one of the campus climate survey options provided by the Minnesota State Office of Equity and Inclusion. The system office developed the protocol and questions for all Minnesota State campus climate surveys.

In Spring 2023 (March 22-April 22, 2023), MSUM administered the HEDS survey to undergraduate and graduate students. The key objectives of the survey were to help university leaders understand students’ perceptions of MSUM’s climate, perceptions of how MSUM supports diversity and equity, and experiences with discrimination and harassment at MSUM.

The results have been presented to various internal stakeholder groups with plans to continue sharing the results through spring semester 2024. The University Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is charged with assessing the next steps in response to the survey results.

Campus Climate Survey Results - Spring 2023

Select Core Findings

Students are Generally or Very Satisfied with MSUM’s campus climate.
By and large, our students perceive the campus as welcoming. 82% of students are generally satisfied with MSUM’s campus climate, 67% of students experience a sense of belonging, and the vast majority of respondents, 88%, believe diversity improves campus interactions. 72% believe the campus is free from tensions.

Generally, students describe MSUM’s sense of community positively.
Frequently cited positive descriptors include welcoming, homey, diverse, inclusive, comfortable, family, tight-knit, united, safe, and supportive. However, some students don’t feel as connected, using these descriptors to share their perceptions of MSUM’s community: close-minded, nonexistent, disconnected, and lonely.

MSUM students are often the source of insensitive or disparaging remarks.
More than 50% of insensitive or disparaging remarks come from other students. Students as a source of insensitive or disparaging remarks is a higher percentage at MSUM than at 4-year public and all participating institutions. The source of insensitive or disparaging comments from the local community, faculty, staff and administrators is lower than at 4-year public and all participating institutions.

Students provided honest input on how to improve MSUM’s campus climate.

  • Students want more diversity among the student, faculty and staff population.
  • Students want more events and opportunities to engage for on-campus, online and older than average students.
  • Students want more education about different cultures and all types of diversity, specifically on gender/sexuality or disability. There is interest in more classroom discussion within courses about how diversity applies across cultures, identities, contexts, etc.
  • Students frequently mention the need for mental health support and resources, financial assistance, and support for the arts.