Enhancing the UO's workplace culture

As a public research university dedicated to discovery, instruction, and service to improve society, the University of Oregon is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment in which everyone knows they belong and can flourish.

In support of this commitment, the university is working to address culture and climate issues identified by the IDEAL Climate Survey of UO Employees conducted by independent consultant, Gallup, in April of 2022. The work is focused on individual, unit-based, structural, cultural, and institutional factors that can further foster an inclusive campus culture.

In October 2023, President Scholz announced approval of several recommendations from the four university-wide working groups. (See the work done to date.)

Context

Gallup provided the university with the initial results in June 2022, which were shared with campus. Following more analysis, additional university-wide findings were shared in fall 2022 and again in the winter of this year. In spring 2023, vice presidents and deans reviewed the school, college, and unit-level results, and used them to begin conversations with employees on unit-level action planning.

Gallup’s analysis of the findings identified several key areas of focus, including a need to:

Improve engagement with employees so they feel connected and committed to their work and our mission;
Enhance collegiality to ensure all feel respected, supported, and valued;
Ensure employees feel they have equitable access to resources and opportunities; and
Prevent and address incidents of harassment and discrimination, ensure they are reported, and they individual receive support and resources.

University leadership at all levels is committed to this work. Key to achieving marked change in the areas of focus is taking action at both the university and unit levels.

University-wide Action

Four working groups were charged with assessing resources, programs, policies, and practices, and recommending improvements or changes. They made recommendations to the president and a series of recommendations have been approved for implementation.

The work groups were focused on the following areas:

Unit-level Action

Vice presidents, deans, and vice provosts have shared unit-level survey results to allow the leaders in schools, colleges, and divisions to engage in productive and helpful conversations with their faculty, staff, and graduate employees about what’s working and what needs improvement, and how to make progress addressing the campus climate survey’s findings.

Work to Date

November 2023
All University of Oregon employees were invited to a forum on belonging, climate, and culture held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, in the Living Learning Center Performance Hall, and notes were taken and collected at the table and Zoom breakout room discussions.
October 2023
President Karl Scholz approved implementation of recommendations and funding for matching grant program. University vice presidents, deans, vice provosts, and their leadership teams meet to share best practices in improving their units’ climates and culture.
Spring 2023
The four university-wide working groups charged with addressing aspects of the survey findings provided updates to senior leaders on their activities and have made initial recommendations.
Winter 2023
In February, the university held a workshop for all vice presidents, deans, and the senior leaders in their divisions. At this summit, university leadership provided information, expectations, and resources for sharing results specific to each school, college, institute, or divisions to individual employees.
Fall 2022
In the fall, four working groups were created to support a framework for university-wide progress and began addressing four areas of priority and importance that emerged from the survey’s findings. A meeting with vice presidents and deans was held in December to discuss the rollout among divisions and units, and at a workshop in February with Gallup.
Summer 2022
Over summer the analysis committee and action planning committee reviewed results and work with university leaders, who then formed four working groups and released additional university-wide results.
April 2022
The university conducted the IDEAL Campus Climate Survey of Employees from April 11-29, 2022. Gallup, which administered the survey, presented results to campus leadership, who later shared a message noting campus-wide themes that emerged from the initial university-wide results.