The new survey “Diverse Learning Environments” sent to Mississippi State University sophomores, juniors and seniors through the official MSU e-mail system is seeking to find information in order for the university to understand problems students experience as well as institutional practices that effect students’ overall sense of belonging.
    Hannah  Owens, who serves as the Office of Institutional Diversity & Inclusion’s diversity research and assessment specialist, said the primary goal of the survey is to address the needs of all students as well as create conditions for student success in a diverse university community. She said each student’s voice is important in helping the university understand how they can make improvements.     
 
  Owens said through this survey, they desire to create a university environment where respect for diversity and inclusion is the norm. 
Both student and academic affairs are supporting the survey, including the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center and the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.  
    Cedric Gathings, interim assistant vice president for Multicultural Affairs, said research for the project began in the fall and he described the process of creating the survey.
   “There was a conversation with the president of student affairs, Regina Hyatt and with MSU’s provost office about things we can continue to do to bridge gaps and ensure that our students are having a good experience,” Gathings said. 
   Gathings said dialogues and listening sessions were also conducted on campus, and the team wanted to look at the root of the problem and not just hit the surface.
 “President Keenum has a true commitment to diversity,” Gathings said. “Diversity is being managed from top down so it’s an expectation from our president, and it’s also within our strategic plan.” 
  Gathings said it is essential for MSU to have such a survey implemented to support students who are facing issues, such as discrimination and cross-racial interactions.
   Gathings said it is important for MSU to provide the support these students need and opportunities for those students to voice their concerns so they can have a well-rounded experience at MSU.
  Gathings gave various reasons why students should complete the surveys and how they will benefit as a result.
   “For one, so that we can be a better Mississippi State, that we can make sure any concerns a student may have in the classroom, within a resident hall, in a student organization, that if it’s a concern of our students it’s a concern of the university,” Gathings said. “Our job is to make sure all students feel welcome and appreciated at Mississippi State. So from this survey we want to be able to have a snapshot of what our students think about the university, what are some areas of improvement for us and what are some things we are doing great.”
   Owens said although the survey was not created in response to House Bill 1523 that was signed by Governor Bryant this past Tuesday, the passage of the bill certainly validated the need for an assessment such as the Diverse Learning Environments survey, which evaluates students’ capacity to interact and engage respectfully with members of groups outside of one’s own while also capturing experiences with discrimination. 
Both Owens and Gathings confirmed that the survey asks questions regarding one’s perceptions on different social identities. This includes areas such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability/disability status and socioeconomic status.  
  Incentives have been added to encourage students to voice their concerns and complete the survey. Upon completing the survey students have the chance to win one of many prizes including a FitBit, an iPad mini 4, Beats by Dre headphones, or a cowbell. In addition to students’ official MSU email, the survey link can also be accessed through the MyState portal.
   The survey will end on April 28, 2016.  For more information regarding the survey contact Hannah Owens at [email protected].