What is Campus Climate?

At UMKC, each voice counts. We are dedicated to measuring and improving our existing campus climate.

Campus climate is the current attitudes, behaviors and standards of faculty, staff and administrators that create and maintain a community environment that respects individual needs, abilities and potential. The climate is often shaped through personal experiences, perception and institutional efforts.

Climate is not just the experience and perceptions of individuals and groups on our campus; it’s also the quality and extent of the interaction among those various groups and individuals, as well as institutional efforts, that determines a healthy campus climate.

How does it affect our campus?

Positive personal experiences with university climate and positive perceptions of university climate generally equate to successful outcomes. Examples of successful outcomes include positive educational experiences and healthy identity development for students, productivity and sense of value for faculty and staff, and overall well-being for all.

Our faculty and staff

Faculty members, administrators and staff members are significantly impacted by campus climate. According to workplace studies, the personal and professional development of employees is greatly enhanced through a healthy working environment.

Research suggests that faculty members who consider their campus climate healthy and inclusive are more likely to feel personally and professionally supported. Research also indicates that there is a direct relationship between workplace discrimination and negative job and career attitudes. In addition, faculty and staff who have encountered prejudice directly attribute its negative effects to decreased health and well-being.

The Climate Survey will launch on April 9, 2024.