Iowa State staff and faculty rate the diversity climate here as “fair to good,” according to diversity surveys conducted in November 1993.

The two surveys and a student survey, were conducted by the Steering Committee on Diversity.

“The surveys were conducted to provide baseline information on campus climate for diversity,” said Rabindra Mukerjea, chair of the committee.

“This information will be used for the university to engage in initiatives to improve campus climate,” he said. “The student diversity survey is still being compiled.”

Mukerjea was concerned at the indication of harassment expressed by respondents to both surveys. Eighteen percent of female faculty said they had been sexually harassed at ISU.

“Questions were asked about harassment, but no qualifications were given,” said Mukerjea, “I don’t know how it compares with what it used to be.”

The surveys also reported that about one quarter of all faculty and staff said that they had been discriminated against. Twice as many women faculty as men cited discrimination, but percentage of women staff indicating discrimination was only slightly higher than the men.

“There are some good aspects in this survey, and there are also some not so good aspects,” said Mukerjea, “in some areas there is a mixed view.”

Approximately 45 percent of the ethnic minority staff indicated they had experienced discrimination, compared to 27.9 percent of the non-minority staff. A smaller percentage of both ethnic minority and non-minority faculty indicated the same.

About 60 percent of both faculty and staff, however, felt that there was a very or fairly strong desire to develop a climate that supports diversity. A quarter of Hispanic-American faculty and about a third of African-American staff agreed with this statement.

The small numbers of ethnic minority staff and faculty made it impossible to make reliable comparisons among ethnic minority groups, although over half of them responded to the survey. A sample of about 200 non-minorities from both faculty and staff received surveys, and all ethnic minority faculty and staff received surveys.

ISU President Martin Jischke said that since it is the first time that the survey has been conducted, it is hard to know if the situation is getting better or worse or how ISU stacks up to other universities.

He said that no one should have to endure harassment or discrimination, and that the university will be taking steps to try to cut the number of incidents that occur at ISU.

The incoming chair of the committee, Norene Daly, said that the new committee will be meeting at the beginning of the fall semester.

“We’ll be scheduling a retreat,” said Daly. “We’ll be discussing surveys, the charge to the committee and the goals for the committee.”

Daly will also have to meet with ISU President Martin Jischke regarding the future activity of the committee.

Reports on both surveys are available on reserve in Parks Library and other administrative offices.