Diversity and Inclusion Master Plan

found the awareness of student issues to be 82% for Student Affairs, 83% for Academic Affairs, and 89% for Clinical Education. Responsiveness to student issues was found to be 85% for Student Affairs, 82% for Academic Affairs, and 88% for Clinical Education. • The perception of responsiveness of these offices was affected by the respondents’ class year. Members of the Class of 2017 reported lower averages for both Student Affairs and Academic Affairs when compared to the class of 2019. The results from the Climate Survey indicate that the majority of all respondents deny experiencing exclusionary behavior, have low levels of perceived bias, feel a sense of belonging and camaraderie, feel satisfied by their studies at the College, and believe offices are both aware and responsive to student issues. The outcomes provided by the Climate Survey can be assessed following the five common essential elements of a “life well - lived” across ages, races, and religions, developed by Gallup, a global performance-management consulting firm: Summary

1) Purpose (liking what one does) 2) Social (positive relationships in one’s life) 3) Community (engagement and involvement) 4) Physical Well-being (good health and energy to get things done) 5) Financial (managing economic life to reduce stress).

The Climate survey suggests that the SUNY Optometry student community to a large degree is fulfilled in three out of the five elements, namely Purpose , S ocial , and Community .

An area that deserves further investigation is differences between class years. In general, the class of 2019 responded most positively, followed by the Class of 2018, and the Class of 2017. It is important to explore whether thi s is a result of simply encountering more obstacles throughout a students’ academic trajectory, or instead, a result of implemented changes that have left newer students with a more positive attitude of the climate at SUNY.

Initiatives to Measure Climate and Address Potential Issues Town Hall Meetings

Town hall meetings have become part of the College ’s culture and are held with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year classes of the OD program every semester in a collaborative effort between the offices of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. These meetings provided an opportunity for students to meet with senior-level administration and voice ideas and concerns about topics ranging from student life to academics and clinical issues. The College administration attempts to act upon serious suggestions

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