As part of an ongoing effort to improve campus safety and student well-being, Sacred Heart University’s Office of Title IX will release its biannual climate survey this April. The survey gives students an opportunity to anonymously share their experiences and perspectives on issues, such as safety, belonging and campus culture.
Contributed by Rolan Galvez, Sacred Heart University
The Office of Title IX is responsible for addressing concerns related to sexual harassment, assault, stalking and relationship violence. It works to ensure the university complies with federal regulations while also providing students with resources, support, and clear reporting options.
The climate survey, which is sent out every two years, is required under Connecticut state legislation (Substitute House Bill No. 6374, Public Act No. 21-81). The law is intended to improve how colleges respond to sexual misconduct and better protect students. The survey will be open for several weeks in April.
Beth Ann Voight-Jause, the executive director of community standards and Title IX coordinator, said the survey is designed to understand how aware students are of reporting options and available support services on campus.
“It also helps us learn more about students’ experiences, their perceptions of campus climate, and any barriers they may face when deciding whether to report concerns,” said Voight-Jause.
The survey has played a key role in shaping improvements across campus.
“Feedback from previous surveys has helped shape how Title IX is structured on campus, how the community is educated, and how accessible reporting options are for students,” said Voight-Jause.
Voight-Jause said student participation in this survey helps guide the university’s prevention, education, and support efforts related to Title IX.
“The survey allows the university to better understand students’ experiences, identify barriers to reporting, and recognize gaps in awareness of available resources,” said Voight-Jause. “The Office of Title IX uses survey results to improve processes, strengthen support services, and continue working toward a safer campus environment.”
The survey is also designed to be fully anonymous and does not collect any identifying information.
“Responses are not linked to individual names, email addresses, or student records,” said Voight-Jause. “Any identifying information used for incentive prize drawings is kept completely separate from survey responses.”
Survey results are reviewed by the Office of Title IX and shared with faculty and staff to help inform training, educational programming, and prevention strategies.
“Faculty and staff play an important role by completing required training, understanding their reporting responsibilities and helping connect students to support,” said Voight-Jause.
Students have said anonymity plays a major role in their willingness to participate.
“I will respond to the survey because student voices are one of the most important feedback types for college campuses,” said freshman Nicole Raymond. “I do believe it’s important for students to be able to share their experiences anonymously because it gives us a way to communicate any issues without fear of repercussions or others finding out.”
Sophomore Arianna Busa said she also plans to participate.
“When students get an opportunity to anonymously express their concerns, they typically are more honest with how they truly feel about the school and things that may bother them,” said Busa. “I’m taking the survey because I think it’s a good outlet to express my concerns or experiences on campus without feeling ashamed or embarrassed.”
