By Brooke Adams, communications specialist, University Communication

Here is your chance to help the U better understand and respond to sexual assault and sexual misconduct.

If you are an undergraduate or graduate student, you should have received an email asking you to complete the 2018 Campus Climate Survey. The survey, conducted on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs, is voluntary, anonymous and confidential. Data is aggregated, so no personal data or anecdotes are included. The survey takes about 20 minutes to 30 minutes to complete.

Responses will be collected through March 7.

“We want to know the prevalence of these issues, students’ familiarity with how to report problems and their perceptions of the university’s response,” said Lori McDonald, dean of students and associate vice president of student affairs. “This information helps us design programs and ensure we have the services we need to address these issues.”

This is the second time the U has conducted a Campus Climate survey. The first survey was done in 2016; about 4,000 U students participated.

Results of the 2016 survey were instrumental in shaping recommendations made last year by the Presidential Task Force on Campus Safety, including additional support staff and creation of a comprehensive safety website — SafeU.utah.edu — that provides easy access to reporting, support and training resources.

The U also increased bystander intervention training options after survey participants indicated they were willing to intervene but were not confident about how to do so appropriately, McDonald said.

The 2016 results also informed revisions to the U’s nondiscrimination policy and sexual misconduct rule, which also have been made easier to find.

The goal is to conducted a Campus Climate survey every other year, McDonald said. This year’s survey is adapted from one used by the Association of American Universities and is slightly different from the 2016 survey.

The new survey asks about perceptions of risk, resource awareness, prevention and training. There are several questions on bystander behavior and experiences of harassment, stalking and interpersonal and domestic violence.

“Our students are surveyed a lot and I acknowledge that, but we really do want to hear about their perceptions and how to improve what we are offering them,” McDonald said. “We really do need this information to help inform how we handle these issues. Sexual assault and violence are clearly a topic that has been getting more attention for several years, not just on campus but everywhere, especially with the #MeToo movement.”