Iowa State President Steven Leath announced plans to conduct another campus climate assessment next year in a letter to the Iowa State community Wednesday.

The assessment will take place during the 2017-2018 academic year and will look at the university’s current attitudes and behaviors toward issues surrounding diversity, inclusion and safety. 

According to the letter, the university will contract with Rankin & Associates Consulting in order to “ensure full transparency and to provide a more complete perspective.”

The letter also mentioned the development of a climate website that will keep the community updated on the process and results on the project. 

Iowa State previously worked with Rankin & Associates during Iowa State’s 2004 campus climate survey. In the past 20 years, the company has conducted over 170 campus assessment projects. 

In the letter, Leath cited the emphasis on “diversity, inclusion, equity and safety” within the university’s latest strategic plan.

The plan, which the university launched last fall, moved to full implementation this year. Because of this, Iowa State wishes to “assess the university’s current attitudes and behaviors on these issues,” according to the letter.

After the 2004 survey, the university ratified dozens of recommendations, according to the letter.

These recommendations include the creation of the Multicultural Student Center, a university-level diversity committee, the Ombuds office, increased training in techniques for improving diversity in the search process for departments and search committees and development of the Principles of Community, according to the letter. 

Leath said in his letter that the university will share the campus climate website and more information about the study itself as it becomes availble.