Survey of BU Diversity Efforts Opens to Staff Today
The University hopes that a survey being sent to BU staff on Monday, March 22, will reveal what policies concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion need to be changed. Photo by Cydney Scott
Survey of BU Diversity Efforts Opens to Staff Today
Responses will shape future policies and practices
The responses of BU staff members to a survey of opinions about the University’s policies concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion could have a major impact on future policies. The survey, which will be will be sent to staff this morning from the hrsurvey@bu.edu email address and will be open until Friday, April 2, seeks the opinions of BU’s more than 6,000 staff employees about all stages of a staff member’s experience, from applying for employment to leaving the University. The survey should take no more than 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
Ken Freeman, interim vice president for human resources, says the University is hoping that every staff member will participate. “This is a moment where employees have a voice in shaping University policy as it pertains to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Freeman says. “We want to hear from everyone. We want to hear what is going well and what needs to change.”
The survey will be administered by Korn Ferry, a global consulting firm that will also recommend improvements to Human Resources policies based on the best practices of other institutions and industries. The survey will be confidential, and no names will be attached to survey responses. The survey will be available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and will have 36 multiple choice questions and 2 questions that provide the opportunity for written responses.
While participation is confidential, Korn Ferry will provide participation rates by school or college or major department while the survey is live, so the leaders of those units can more strategically encourage their staff to take part in the survey. Survey results will be analyzed by Korn Ferry, and the consultancy will deliver a report on the findings to University leadership and a summary report to all BU staff.
In addition to the survey, the University’s review of human resources practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion will include at least 25 hour-long focus groups on Zoom. The sessions, which will also be run by Korn Ferry, are intended to learn about diversity and inclusion practices in specific areas of the BU community. Staff will be able to indicate their interest in participating in a focus group through a separate invitation process, which will be managed by Korn Ferry and Human Resources. Individuals are encouraged to complete the survey and to participate in focus group conversations. More information about the process to sign up for focus groups will be provided soon.
Staff members with questions or difficulties with the survey should contact BUDEISurvey@kornferry.com.
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