Every faculty, staff and learner at UCSF will be invited to take the Community Climate Survey.
Participants will receive an email invitation with a link to the study, along with any additional instructions. UCSF has compiled answers to the frequently asked questions about the survey.
How do you define climate?
Climate is a measure – real or perceived – of the campus environment as it relates to interpersonal, academic, and professional interactions.
How is the Community Climate Survey different than the staff engagement survey conducted by Gallup?
This Community Climate Survey is the only survey that gathers input from all UCSF constituencies – faculty, staff, students, postdocs and residents. It helps the University assess the overarching learning, living, and working environments – or climate – with a focus on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for members of our UCSF community.
The staff engagement survey conducted by Gallup focuses exclusively on staff to measure their sense of purpose or how invested they are in the work they do.
UCSF leaders use the results of both surveys to identify common themes and set priorities to develop a coordinated, holistic action plan to make UCSF a better place to work and learn.
Who will receive the survey?
The UCSF Community Climate Survey gathers input from paid faculty, staff (career, contract, per diem, and limited), and learners (students, post-docs, residents, and fellows) who were employed by the University and UCSF Health as of Dec. 17, 2024.
Is the survey anonymous?
UCSF works with Emma White Research to conduct the Community Climate Survey, which is designed to collect anonymous feedback. Confidentiality and anonymity are assured in all survey analyses and reports.
Your data is sent directly to Emma White Research, whose survey administrators operate under strict confidentiality requirements. The data collected is aggregated and disaggregated to analyze trends and patterns. No identifiers are matched to responses or disaggregated data presented for any social identity group with fewer than 25 respondents.
How frequently is the Community Climate Survey administered?
The Community Climate Survey is administered every three years. Surveys conducted and tracked regularly can help identify developing and persistent areas of weakness. Creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment requires ongoing vigilance and action at both the institutional and individual level to ensure that everyone feels valued, heard and respected and has an opportunity to thrive.
Is survey participation mandatory?
Participation in the Community Climate Survey is voluntary. Sharing your views offers a more comprehensive and accurate representation of the UCSF climate. Every eligible member of the UCSF community is encouraged to participate and complete the survey.
Can I skip questions in the survey?
While we encourage you to answer all questions, you may skip any questions you do not feel comfortable answering. Your participation is valued, and you may provide as much or as little input as you would like.
How will the survey results lead to change?
The survey results will guide ongoing efforts to improve the campus climate. The data will inform short- and long-term strategies and initiatives to enhance the experience working and learning at UCSF.
Why focus on subset populations within the enterprise, such as UCSF Health, schools and departments?
Macro- and micro-climates can have similarities and differences in how they reflect perceptions of inclusivity, belonging, and a positive learning and working environment. The climate affects how individuals feel valued, heard, respected and personally safe, as well as how they are treated by managers and peers within the organization.