At the University of Mississippi, we are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive campus climate that is open and accessible to all, grounded in mutual respect, and nurtured by dialogue. Creating and maintaining a community environment that respects individual needs and abilities and provides a place where all members of our community can succeed is vitally important.
During 2019-20, the University of Mississippi will take an important step to uphold this commitment by conducting a campus climate assessment. This is our chance to make a difference in the University of Mississippi’s future, our opportunity to make positive and lasting change, and our avenue to help create a more inclusive campus.
To ensure full transparency and provide a more complete perspective, we have contracted with Rankin & Associates Consulting to help lead this effort. Rankin & Associates have conducted more than 190 campus climate assessment projects over the last 20 years. We were pleased to host Rankin & Associates on our campus February 4-5 to officially kick off the process.
Next, a team from Rankin & Associates will work with a committee of UM students, staff, and faculty to develop and implement the assessment. The results will better enable us to develop programs and policies that increase inclusivity in areas of need, and enhance and replicate programs and policies in areas that are shown to meet the needs of our campus community successfully.
A website now under development will share up-to-date information on the process and results throughout the assessment. Keep an eye out for a link to the site and more information about the project as it becomes available.
I hope you will join me in supporting this important project.
Sincerely,
Larry D. Sparks
Interim Chancellor