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 can thrive and succeed.

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.

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. This spring, 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 are charged with assessing resources, programs, policies, and practices, and recommending improvements or changes. They are working in parallel with and in support of the unit-level efforts to develop tools, programs, and potential policy changes.

The working groups have provided updates to senior leaders on their activities and have made initial recommendations.

Each group is supported by an administrative unit and includes individuals on campus with expertise, responsibility, and/or involvement in the topic area. They are focused on the following areas:

Unit-Level Action

Vice presidents and deans are sharing 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.

Vice presidents and deans are expected to have shared their unit- or division-level data with employees by the end of spring term. Some of this work is complete, some remains underway. This work takes time, especially in very large academic units, but it is important that individuals not only see their unit’s results but have time to review and discuss them with their supervisors, directors, and/or division heads.

All vice presidents and deans are expected to report at the end of this month about these conversations and their next steps for addressing the findings through current or future action planning.

For questions about this process, please contact your vice president's or dean's office.

What’s next

The four university-wide working groups charged with addressing the survey findings have provided updates to senior leaders on their activities and have made initial recommendations.
The recommendations for any new or updated university-wide policy and program changes, and others in development, will be shared with stakeholder groups for feedback, and reviewed and discussed by senior leadership and the units responsible for work associated with the changes.
All vice presidents and deans are sharing unit data and action planning. They expected to report to senior leadership by the end of spring term about these conversations and their next steps for addressing the findings through current or future action planning.
All employees are asked to participate in action planning, which will continue through the summer, in some divisions, and into next fall.
University leaders, supervisors, faculty, staff, and graduate employees will continue to work together to help shape the university’s progress and improve our campus culture.

Work to Date

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.
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.
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.
Winter 2023
In February, the university held a School, College, and Unit-Level Climate Survey 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.
Spring 2023
The four university-wide working groups charged with addressing the survey findings provided updates to senior leaders on their activities and have made initial recommendations.