Spring Break
Students, faculty asked to participate in GLBT survey
Elise Phillips, Assistant Pulse Editor
Issue date: 11/13/08 Section: News
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The survey, conducted and directed by Linda A. Mooney of the department of sociology in conjunction with the Center for Survey Research, the Center for Diversity and Inequality Research and the GLBT Student Union, began on Oct. 28 after nearly nine months of planning and research.
"[With] the campus climate survey, there were a variety of groups represented--questions about race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation [were asked]," said Mooney. "So what I decided to do was to look at one of those groups, one that I think is often overlooked."
Aaron Lucier, adviser for the GLBT Student Union, reiterates that point.
"The GLBT population is somewhat invisible. A lot of people may not know if someone who is gay, lesbian or bisexual person is in their presence," he said.
The purpose of the survey is to gauge the overall climate toward GLBT persons in the ECU community, and also to effect change in areas that may be lacking, Mooney said.
"We want to have a healthy and supportive environment for working and living and learning at ECU," she said. "The results of this survey may help us do that by identifying areas where we need improvement. Alternatively, the survey results may indicate that there are no, or at least very few problems on campus when it comes to GLBT issues, and that is valuable to know as well."
Mooney and her team have advertised the survey through posters and flyers, a spot on the student radio station, WZMB, an article in The Daily Reflector and e-mails sent to the entire student body through the Student Announce organization-but Mooney says that the number of students, faculty and staff (approximately 350) who have filled out the survey has been less than she expected.
"I know that 350 people are not representative of the GLBT community here," Mooney said. "My guess would be that it severely underestimates GLBT faculty, staff and students."
The GLBT survey is completely anonymous and confidential, something that Mooney says she can't stress enough.
"There might be some fear of repercussions, but I want to say that this survey is truly anonymous and confidential," she said. "You can fill it out at any computer, on campus or off campus. We don't know who you are, and we don't care who you are. We [just] want to get an accurate description of GLBT people on campus."
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