Lehigh University Evaluates Campus Climate and Diversity Initiatives
Lehigh University conducted a thorough assessment of its campus climate concerning diversity and equity, revealing mixed yet promising results. The study focuses on various aspects of student and staff experiences related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), shedding light on areas of progress and those requiring further attention.
Satisfaction and Institutional Support
In evaluating the satisfaction with campus climate for diversity and equity, Lehigh University scored an average of 3.7 out of 5, marking a slight improvement from the previous year’s score of 3.5. This suggests that the campus community feels generally satisfied or ambivalent towards the current climate. However, institutional support for diversity and equity remained unchanged with a score of 3.4.
The survey also looked at experiences of insensitive or disparaging remarks, where a lower score indicates a better outcome. Lehigh recorded a score of 1.9, slightly better than the previous year’s 2.0, indicating such remarks are perceived as rare. Additionally, the experience of discrimination or harassment was rated at 1.7, showing a minor improvement from 1.8 in 2022.
Participation and Perception Challenges
Participation in the survey varied across different groups: 8% of undergraduates, 12% of graduate students, 24% of faculty, and 36% of staff and administrators took part. The survey was administered via email by a third-party service. Efforts to boost participation continue, with “survey fatigue” cited as a potential barrier. The university is exploring alternative methods to increase engagement in future surveys.
While Lehigh’s scores align with similar institutions, African American, Hispanic/Latino, and non-binary and/or transgender students expressed lower satisfaction levels compared to their peers. Despite this, their scores still indicate general satisfaction, highlighting ongoing progress.
“This suggests that while there is work to be done, progress is being made in creating a more inclusive environment and community of belonging,” remarked Outing. “We are committed to addressing these gaps by fostering initiatives and support systems aimed at ensuring every member of our campus community feels valued and supported.”
Understanding Belonging
At a recent town hall event, Outing elaborated on the “A Lehigh for Everyone” initiative, emphasizing that belonging is foundational to academic, social, and personal success. A sense of belonging enhances engagement, motivation, and resilience, and is linked to better academic outcomes.
Lehigh uses various surveys, including the National Survey of Student Engagement, to gauge belonging. This year’s results indicated an increase, with 39% of students “strongly agreeing” that they feel comfortable being themselves, compared to 30% in 2021. Similarly, 56% felt valued by the institution, up from 48.2%, and 56% felt part of the community, an increase from 49%.
The annual “Life at Lehigh” survey showed an increase in the average “sense of community” score from 3.3 in 2021 to 3.9 in 2024. Questions in this survey assess feelings about community support and personal connections within Lehigh.
Lehigh recently received recognition for its diversity efforts, being named a Diversity Champion and receiving the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award for the sixth consecutive year from Insight Into Diversity magazine.
Ongoing Commitment to Diversity
During the town hall, Outing addressed potential changes in diversity initiatives with a new federal administration. He emphasized the importance of educating others about the true nature of DEI work, countering misconceptions that it is divisive.
Outing remains optimistic about Lehigh’s continued dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion, even as challenges evolve. “As I told my team, as long as you see me standing before you here at Lehigh, this work will continue, because it’s a commitment from the institution,” he assured.
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