A Utilization-Focused Assessment Model: From Engaging Leadership to Action Planning on Campus to Assess Sexual Harassment Among Faculty and Staff

Sexual harassment remains an ongoing and troubling issue in institutions of higher education. Research highlighted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reveal that over half of women faculty and staff report experiencing sexually-harassing behavior during their years in the academy. To address this issue, campus climate surveys are recommended as an essential step to establish baseline experiences and develop data-driven action plans to build upon campus strengths and address gaps, as well as one in which social workers can have a major role in facilitating. Several campus climate survey instruments are available for assessing campus sexual violence among students. Little guidance is available on the process of conducting a campus climate assessment using a whole-school approach . The purpose of this workshop is to present a conceptual model that social workers can use to engage in a comprehensive, action-focused campus climate assessment process that includes faculty and staff. The presented conceptual model, rooted in collaborative, utilization-focused evaluation, is intended to establish structures for participation of communities affected by the issue being studied, representatives of organizations, and researchers in all aspects of the research process to improve health and well-being through action. This model emphasizes co-learning between research partners and mutual decision-making powers. In this model, the community contributes to the planning, data collection, dissemination, and utilization of results to educate and improve campus communities.

This workshop includes a distinguished panel of four social science researchers from Rutgers University School of Social Work who have conducted a number of student campus climate surveys and provided consultation around the country. Researchers will present a process case study for conducting an action-focused campus climate assessment geared towards faculty and staff. Panelists will address the conference theme of "Battling Inequities + Build Solutions"� through discussion of how a collaborative campus climate assessment can be utilized to tailor and develop campus specific prevention and response efforts. Additionally, the panelists will discuss the need to assess the climate related to sexual misconduct in a manner that is integrated with measurement of other climate dimensions in order to paint a broader picture of the campus environment. They will also emphasize the role that social workers can take in the process. Topics for discussion will include: 1) Engaging executive leadership and coordinating with key offices on campus in planning and implementation; 2) Developing and finalizing the survey; 3) Creating and charging an Advisory Board; 4) Creating a media campaign to explain purpose of project and generate enthusiasm; 5) Utilizing assessment results to improve prevention efforts and institutional responses; and 6) Distributing the findings acquired to all partners. Panelists will address topics through prepared presentation, interactive learning with case examples and small group exercises, and conclude with participant questions. By the end of the workshop participants will be familiar with best-practices for building capacity on campus; encouraging co-learning between researchers and campus leadership throughout the process; and engaging in an assessment process that leads to the translation of findings into action.