2016 Campus Climate Survey Results
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University today released the results of its second campus climate survey on sexual misconduct and relationship violence. The study, in conjunction with Ohio State’s Buckeyes ACT initiative, affirms the university’s ongoing commitment to combatting sexual misconduct or violence of any kind.
In the year since the last survey results were released, Ohio State has made significant progress implementing Buckeyes ACT (Action, Counseling and Training), the university’s comprehensive effort to combat sexual misconduct and relationship violence. As part of this effort, and new this school year, each incoming first year student is required to take an online training module that focuses on identifying issues, support and services and prevention. In addition, mandatory sexual misconduct and relationship violence training is now also required for all freshmen students as part of the First Year Success Series.
Resources and staffing have also been increased to support prevention and response efforts for students and a university-wide task force including students, staff and faculty is working to identify best practices and explore innovative approaches to these issues. Further, Ohio State recently updated its Sexual Misconduct Policy and the Code of Student Conduct to enhance the health, safety and wellbeing of our community.
Ohio State will use the results of the 2016 Campus Climate Survey to enhance current policies and services and to inform longer-term strategies and programs. We are about to launch the Buck-I-CARE program, an inclusive consent campaign that promotes sustained, healthy behaviors. We will also use data to identify and respond to unique needs of specific student populations and continue to raise awareness of campus resources.
Results from the survey include:
- Female undergraduate student respondents who reported experiencing incidences of nonconsensual sexual contact by physical force, threats of physical force, or incapacitation: 20.6 percent
- Male undergraduate student respondents who reported experiencing incidences of nonconsensual sexual contact by physical force, threats of physical force, or incapacitation: 5.5 percent
- Student respondents who believed that it was very or extremely likely that a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct would be taken seriously by campus officials: 67 percent
- Student respondents who said they think it is likely or extremely likely that they would experience sexual assault or sexual misconduct on campus: 6.4 percent
The 2016 survey instrument was adapted from a survey developed in 2015 by the Association of American Universities (AAU) that was administered to students at Ohio State and 26 other universities nationwide.
The overall response rate for the 2016 study was 21.1 percent; 62,291 Ohio State students from all campuses were invited to take the survey and 13,152 responded.
Ohio State will gather student data on this subject again in 2017.
