By Jasmine Hill, Janina Montero and Sylvia Hurtado
What is clear from the editorial “Don’t outsource the diversity survey” (Feb. 14) is that sponsors of the Diverse Learning Environment survey and the Daily Bruin Editorial Board embrace a shared value regarding the importance of understanding students’ experience of the campus climate. However, we do feel an obligation to correct some of the misconceptions conveyed in the editorial.
First, let us state that we are in agreement with the editorial board’s view that UCLA’s “world-class faculty and graduate students” should be involved in the development of the survey. In fact, the survey was developed by Professor Sylvia Hurtado and her research team, including graduate students, right here at UCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute in the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies.
The DLE survey was constructed after a thorough review of the scholarly literature surrounding issues of diversity and climate, including a review of more than 90 existing survey instruments.
While the editorial board is correct in stating that the DLE survey will “measure students’ experiences with campus discrimination,” this represents just one aspect of a comprehensive, evidence-based examination of many dimensions of student experience that scholars now understand to be important in helping all students to experience the educational benefits of a diverse learning environment.
It is also a disservice to characterize the survey as an alternative to personal interactions aimed at understanding students’ experiences. Both are important and one does not substitute for the other. Each has a vital role to play in creating an inclusive campus climate.
We also concur with the editorial board’s view on the importance of collaboration with student government. In fact, this collaboration is very much at the center of this effort, as evidenced by the fact that the e-mail invitations to participate in the survey will come directly from the USAC president, Jasmine Hill, and the vice chancellor of student affairs, Janina Montero.
Further, discussions are already underway regarding how USAC and Student Affairs will collaborate in interpreting and using the findings.
To suggest that incentives will inspire only a “few disingenuous responses of students trying to win a free parking pass” is to overlook the many UCLA students who are committed to making their voices heard and to accurately representing their own experiences.
While, as the editorial board suggests, “some students may not take the survey seriously, seeing it only as a chance to win sporting events tickets or a much-coveted parking pass,” we give the student body more credit for having a stake in taking the time to genuinely reflect their experiences and we think it important to recognize that students have many demands on their time.
We believe the range of incentives conveys both the importance of this survey and our value and appreciation of students’ time.
Jasmine Hill is the president of the Undergraduate Students Association Council; Janina Montero is the vice chancellor of student affairs; and Sylvia Hurtado is a professor in the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies.