About 40 people came into the Multicultural Center by 1:00 p.m. on Tues., Feb. 1  for free pizza and soda and a chance to take the Climate Survey, with 60 people campus-wide taking the climate survey by 11:30 a.m. But taking the climate survey more than a chance to eat free pizza.

A growing awareness of bias-related incidents within the University of Wisconsin System, coupled with an awareness that a welcoming climate helps create a better learning environment, led to the UW-System to conduct a systemwide climate survey.

Rankin and Associates Consulting was chosen to lead the project because of their expertise in conducting surveys of institutions of higher education. Everybody who is a part of the University of Wisconsin-Superior is encouraged to take the survey, because the campus climate affects everyone.

Diversity Coordinator Chip Beal said the survey was not designed to answer any specific question. The surveys, while having questions in common for all the UW-System campuses, are customized for each individual campus. He expects the final report for the Superior campus to be available in the fall, and published on the University's website.

“The survey is not to dictate policy change. It is to reveal areas that the University needs to work on. Policies may need to be revisited as a result of the survey,” said Beal.

The survey takes from 20 to 40 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, there is a chance to enter into a drawing for either a $1,000 scholarship or a $1,000 faculty development grant. Anonymity is guaranteed; any internet address information is stripped before the results are sent to Rankin and Associates.

Pizza and soda will be provided again on Wed., Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 232, Old Main. You can take the climate survey here.