Pilot Pulse Survey Results

Dear Members of the Harvard Community,

Earlier this year we sent the 10-question Pilot Pulse Survey on
Inclusion and Belonging to all students, faculty, academic personnel,
and staff at Harvard. We asked whether you felt that you belong and
have the opportunity and support to succeed at the University. Thank
you to those of you who took the time to complete the survey. Today, I
share the results , which I believe will contribute to creating a
Harvard where every member of our community can thrive and excel.

This pilot survey was one of several recommendations from the
Presidential Task Force for Inclusion and Belonging. We heard from
more than 20,000 individuals—close to half of our community. Overall,
the survey gives us some reason for optimism: 77 percent of you said
you feel that you belong. However, that means that 23 percent of our
community did not agree with the statement, "I feel I belong at
Harvard." Clearly, while we are working hard, there is still room for
much improvement. We need to continue to work as a community towards
positive change.

Each of you—whether you are here to learn, to teach, to work, or some
combination of these activities—should feel that you belong here and
that we are a better Harvard because you are a member of this
community. The diversity of people, experiences, and ideas at Harvard
enriches all our lives.

The results of the Pilot Pulse Survey are already informing the work
led by Senior Advisor John Wilson and the team in the Office for
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging . John has convened a new
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Leadership Council composed of
representatives from every School and many of the units across the
University. Through sharing best practices and other efforts, the
Council will support the good work already taking place across
Harvard. Additionally, we have launched a search for a Chief Diversity
and Inclusion Officer who will help lead our efforts.

As we are reminded by events that have occurred at Harvard, as well as
those routinely reported in the broader media around the country, we
still live in a world where many members of our community are made to
feel marginalized. This first Pulse Survey was a very useful pilot,
and we have gleaned important insights to refine this tool. I look
forward to working with all of you to build upon what we have learned
so that we can create an environment in which all members of our
community may thrive. Let us begin this important work together.

All the best,

Larry

P.S. You can learn more about the survey, recommendations, and how the
University is already acting on those recommendations in the Harvard
Gazette .

https://www.harvard.edu/president/news/2019/pilot-pulse-survey-results