As required by New York State Education Law 129-B and policies of The State University of New York (SUNY), each SUNY State-operated and community college conducts a uniform climate survey every year. By SUNY policy this uniform survey ascertains faculty and staff awareness of policies and resources, and student experience with and knowledge of reporting and college adjudicatory processes for sexual harassment, including sexual violence and other related crimes. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. No one under the age of 18 is surveyed.
For more information about the SUNY policy, go to http://system.suny.edu/sexual-violence-prevention-workgroup/policies/campus-climate/.
Executive Summary – Spring 2023
Consistent with New York State Education Law 129-B and policies of The State University of New York, Rockland Community College participated in the 2023 University-wide Biennial SUNY Uniform Campus Climate Survey. The Survey, which was conducted beginning on April 10th and ending on April 28th, 2023, gathered information about student and employee experience with sexual and interpersonal violence and knowledge of policies and resources. 192 students and 143 employees completed the survey, for response rates of 5.2 percent and 16.1 percent, respectively.
Of the employees who responded, more than 85.6 percent knew that the College had policies specifically addressing sexual assault, and more than 86.3 percent knew how to advise a sexual assault victim/survivor on where to get help on campus. When asked to whom a victim/survivor or witness can file a formal complaint about sexual assault on campus, 93 percent knew to file with the Title IX Coordinator. When asked if they know how to contact the Title IX Coordinator 86.9 percent answered yes.
Of the students who responded, approximately 81.4 percent knew that the College had policies specifically addressing sexual assault, approximately 67.2 percent knew the definition of affirmative consent, and at least 65.1 percent knew how to report sexual harassment to the College. When asked to whom a victim/survivor or witness can file a formal complaint about sexual assault on campus, 73.6 percent knew to file with the Title IX Coordinator. However, less than 35 percent did not know how to contact the Title IX Coordinator.
The College will use the findings of the survey to continue improving training, prevention, support, and adjudication as part of our ongoing effort to achieve a campus environment free of sexual harassment, including sexual violence and related crimes.
We welcome your feedback
Climate assessments afford institutions the opportunity to better understand their campus and to make informed decisions when it comes to providing a safe and informed educational environment.
If you have recommendations about how the College can reduce the incidence of conduct that creates a hostile environment on campus, including sexual violence and related crimes, and improve the support the College offers when it does occur, please contact the Title IX Coordinator at [email protected].