SUNY Campus Climate Survey

On April 3, 2023, the University at Buffalo began an online administration of the Sexual Violence Prevalence (SVP) Campus Climate Survey.  This survey was administered to students and employees and addressed student and employee knowledge or experiences about:

• The Title IX Coordinator’s role
• Campus policies and procedures addressing sexual assault;
• How and where to report sexual violence as a victim/survivor or witness;
• The availability of resources on and off campus, such as counseling, health, academic assistance;
•  The prevalence of victimization and perpetration of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on and off campus during a set time period (for example, the last two years);
• Bystander attitudes and behavior;
• Whether victims/survivors reported to University and/or police, and reasons why they did or did not report;
• The general awareness of the difference, if any, between the institution’s policies and the penal law; and
• The general awareness of the definition of affirmative consent.

In reviewing the results, we highlight that the survey indicated several important trends, as well as areas for increased focus.  

Generally, students and employees are aware of policies prohibiting sexual violence and how to report sexual violence. Employee awareness of these policies and reporting options was slightly higher than student awareness. UB has seen a significant increase in both student and employee awareness, likely as the result of mandatory sexual harassment prevention training for employees and programmatic outreach to students. While student awareness of how to contact the Title IX Coordinator has increased significantly since the 2019 survey, only a third of students disclosed that they knew how to contact the Title IX Coordinator. The majority of students and employees reported being aware of counseling, advocacy, and health services.

 While most students and employees reported that they did not experience sexual harassment in the past twelve months, nearly 20% of students and nearly 6% of staff reported experiencing sexually harassing conduct. Although the majority of students and most employees reported feeling it was likely or very likely that the university would take their report seriously, the majority of students did not tell anyone about their experience and only a small percentage of students reported the incident. Similarly, the majority of employees reported not taking action after experiencing sexually harassing conduct.

If you have any questions about the survey or the results included in this report, please contact Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at (716) 645-2266 or diversity@buffalo.edu.

The SVP survey is administered every other year by all SUNY campuses, who work closely with SUNY System Administration to coordinate the survey administration itself.  An effort is made to keep the questions from one administration to the next as consistent as possible to allow for reliable and meaningful longitudinal data.  System-wide IRB review takes place for each survey administration.

Our campus administered the student survey and the employee survey between April 3, 2023 and April 24, 2023.   Excluded survey populations were individuals under 18 years of age, all incarcerated individuals regardless of age, and all students concurrently enrolled in high school regardless of age.  

UB sent 6,995 surveys to eligible faculty and staff. Of this number, we received 1,901 responses for a response rate of 27.2%. 38.4% of respondents were faculty, and 60.9% were staff or administrators (the remaining 0.7% did not identify employee type). 

A high percentage of respondents were aware of UB policies regarding sexual violence:

• 94.6% knew that UB has policies and procedures specifically addressing sexual assault.
• 73.1% were aware of the difference between confidentiality and privacy.
• 79.6% knew the definition of Affirmative Consent

A lower percentage (40.5%) were aware of the amnesty policy regarding alcohol and/or drug use in reporting sexual violence.

Most faculty and staff knew how to report sexual violence to UB:

• 87.3% knew how to report a sexual assault to UB.
• 89.9% knew how to report sexual harassment.
• 77.3% were aware of how to report domestic violence and dating violence.
• 76.4 % knew how to report stalking.

In terms of where people can report:

• 96.5% of faculty and staff were aware of University Police.
• 81.7% knew about the Title IX Coordinator.
• 58.4% were aware of Student Affairs.
• 65.8% knew about Human Resources as a reporting option.

The majority knew about supportive offices as an option for disclosure, including Counseling Services (86.2%), Advocacy Services (71.5%), and the Student Health Center (82.4%).

Smaller percentages of faculty and staff were aware of Affirmative Action (49.2%), peer counselors (29.6%), and health educators (22.6%).

Most faculty and staff reported receiving written or verbal information about sexual violence policies and reporting, including:

• The definition of sexual assault (80.6%)
• How to report a sexual assault (84.4%)
• Where to go to get help after experiencing a sexual assault (82.1%)
• To whom one can speak confidentially about a sexual assault (78.3%)

6.9% of faculty and staff respondents indicated that during the past year, a student or students disclosed an unwanted sexual experience, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking. 91.4% reported that they did not receive a disclosure, with 1.7% preferring not to respond. Of the individuals who did receive a disclosure, 65.1% reported the incident to an office on campus and 29.2% did not report the incident, with 5.7% preferring not to respond.

Faculty and staff reported disclosing the incident to the following offices:

• Title IX Coordinator (58.0%)
• University Police (42.0%)
• Counseling Services (20.3%)
• Student Affairs (23.2%)
• Other Office (27.5%)

25% of faculty and staff who did not disclose the incident reported that this was because they were a confidential resource. The remainder did not provide a reason.

Most faculty and staff have confidence in UB’s investigatory process and ability to provide supportive measures.

• 91.5% agree or strongly agree that UB would take a report of sexual violence seriously.
• 84.9% agree or strongly agree that UB would conduct a fair investigation.
• 82.4% agree or strongly agree that UB would provide the student with the necessary support through the process.

Similarly, most faculty and staff reported an understanding of UB’s processes for addressing sexual violence. 83.0% agreed or strongly agreed that they would know how to advise a student who was sexually assaulted about where to get help on campus. 61.2% agreed or strongly agreed that they understood what happens when a student reports sexual assault at UB.

The majority of faculty and staff had confidence in the willingness of their colleagues to assist in the event of an incident.

• 87.3% believe it is likely or very likely that a UB employee would call for help if they heard a neighbor yelling help.
• 62.7% believe it is likely or very likely an employee would talk to a student who they suspect is in an abusive relationship.
• 87.8% believe it is likely or very likely that a UB employee would get help and resources for a friend who tells them that they have been assaulted.
• 73.5% felt it is likely or very likely that a UB employee would tell a campus authority about information they have that might help in a sexual assault case even if they have been pressured not to disclose it.

Faculty and staff were asked about their own experiences with unwelcome sexual comments, slurs, and demeaning jokes, as well as unwelcome digital communications.

• 5.8% of faculty and staff respondents reported experiencing unwanted sexual comments, sexual slurs, or demeaning jokes. 90.9% stated that they did not experience this, and 3.2% preferred not to respond.

The faculty and staff who reported unwelcome experiences were also asked who engaged in this conduct. They reported the status of the perpetrators as follows: a student (12.9%), a faculty member (22.6%), a staff member (39.8%), someone from off-campus (36.6%). 7.5% preferred not to answer. They also identified the following locations where the conduct occurred:

• In a classroom: 6.5%
• In an office on campus: 40.2%
• In another setting on campus: 32.6%
• At an off-campus location: 39.1%

The faculty and staff who reported unwelcome experiences were also asked whether they took action in response.

• 22.8% reported confronting the person who made the comments.
• 17.4% spoke to their supervisor.
• 10.9% reported the incident to another campus office.
• 12.0% stated that they had a different reaction (not specified).
• 54.3% took no action following the experience.

Faculty and staff were also asked whether they received unwanted, sexually-suggestive digital communications, either words, images, or both, including emails, texts, social media communications, or in other written communications. This question was asked by appointment type (full time with permanent appointment, full time without permanent appointment, and part time). Results were as follows:

• Full Time, Permanent/Continuing Appointment: 94.6% no, 2.7% yes, 2.7% prefer not to respond
• Full Time, Not Permanent/Continuing: 95.7% no, 2.7% yes, 1.6% prefer not to respond
• Part Time: 95.3% no, 4.0% yes, 0.7% prefer not to respond.

UB sent 28,413 surveys to eligible students. Of this number, we received 1,575 responses for a response rate of 5.5%. 46 % of respondents were undergraduates, and 54% were graduate or professional students. 

A majority of respondents were aware of UB policies regarding sexual violence:

• 86.1% knew that UB has policies and procedures specifically addressing sexual assault.
• 64.4% were aware of the difference between UB’s disciplinary procedure and the criminal justice system.
• 85.6% knew the definition of Affirmative Consent.

A lower percentage (34.0%) were aware of how to contact UB’s Title IX Coordinator.

Most student respondents knew how to report sexual violence to UB:

• 65.9% knew how to report a sexual assault to UB.
• 64.1% knew how to report sexual harassment.
• 51.7% were aware of how to report domestic violence and dating violence.

A lower percentage of students (49.0%) knew how to report stalking.

In terms of where people can report:

• 90.2% of students were aware of University Police.
• 75.7% knew they could report to the Title IX Coordinator.
• 45.4% knew about Student Affairs.

The majority knew about supportive offices as an option for disclosure, including Counseling Services (67.5%), the Campus Advocate (54.5%), and the Student Health Center (58.3%).

Smaller percentages of students were aware of peer counselors (29.7%), and health educators (21.7%).

The majority of students reported receiving written or verbal information about sexual violence policies and reporting, including:

• The definition of sexual assault (62.5%)
• How to report a sexual assault (62.3%)
• Where to go to get help after experiencing a sexual assault (62.2%)
• To whom one can speak confidentially about a sexual assault (54.1%)

Students were asked about their experiences with unwelcome sexual conduct over the past year.

• 241 respondents (19.1%) reported experiencing unwanted sexual comments, sexual slurs, or demeaning jokes.
• 36 people (2.9%) reported that someone viewed their sexual activity or nakedness without their consent, or took explicit pictures or recordings without their consent.
• 147 respondents (11.7%) reported receiving unwanted suggested digital communications, including emails, texts, social media communications, or written communications.
• 86 students (6.8%) reported that someone fondled, kissed, or rubbed up against their private areas without consent.
• 44 respondents (3.5%) stated that someone removed their clothing without consent.
• 27 respondents (2.1%) reported that someone performed oral sex on them or forced them to perform oral sex without their consent.
• 33 people (2.6%) stated that someone sexually penetrated them without consent.

Respondents were asked about who perpetrated the incident. 38.7% reported that the perpetrator was affiliated with the UB community, and 46.0% stated that the perpetrator was unaffiliated with UB. 15.3% were unsure of whether the person was affiliated with UB. They described the relationship with the perpetrator as follows:

• Stranger: 35.4%
• An acquaintance: 15.5%
• Another college student: 12.3%
• Non-romantic friend: 11.2%
• Casual or first date: 5.8%
• Current romantic partner/spouse: 3.6%
• Ex-romantic partner/spouse: 3.6%
• Unsure/other: 5.0%

Students were asked whether they told anyone about the most recent incident of sexual harassment or sexual assault. 46.7 percent stated yes and 53.3% stated no. 11.1% of students reported filing a formal complaint with the university, and 84.6% stated that they did not file a formal complaint.

When asked whom students told about the incident, they reported the following:

• A friend: 81.7%
• A romantic partner: 34.8%
• A roommate or housemate: 33.9%
• A parent or guardian: 27.8%
• Another family member: 14. 8%
• Faculty, administrator or staff: 13.0%
• University Police: 8.7%
• The Title IX Office: 5.2%
• Someone else: 7.8%

Students who decided not to report or share their experience were asked the reasons why. They reported the following:

• I did not think it was important enough: 50.8%
• I just did not want to deal with it: 45.2%
• I did not recognize it as sexual assault at the time: 34.1%
• I thought I would be blamed for what happened: 17.5%
• I was ashamed or embarrassed: 17.5%
• I worried that it was partially my fault: 17.5%
• I was concerned that others would find out: 13.5%
• I did not think I would be believed: 12.7%
• I was worried that someone would act on the report without my permission: 10.3%
• I did not trust the university to take appropriate action: 8.7%
• I feared the perpetrator would try to hurt me again in some way: 7.9%
• I was afraid of losing my friend group: 7.9%
• I did not trust the police to take appropriate action: 7.1%
• I did not know the reporting procedure on campus: 5.6%

Students were asked about their experience with intimate partner violence over the past year.

• 83 respondents (6.7%) reported that an intimate partner controlled or tried to control them.
• 54 students (4.4%) stated that an intimate partner tried to hurt them, their family or friends, or themselves to influence them.
• 41 respondents (3.3%) stated that an intimate partner scratched, slapped, hit, kicked, beat, punched or physically harmed them.

Students were asked whether they told anyone about the most recent incident of intimate partner violence. 54.7 percent stated yes and 45.3% stated no. 19.6% of students reported filing a formal complaint with the university, and 76.5% stated that they did not file a formal complaint.

Student respondents were asked whom they told and why they did not choose to report. There were too few responses to present results to these questions. 

Students were asked whether, in the past year, anyone repeatedly followed them, watched them, or texted, called, written, emailed, or communicated with them in ways that seemed obsessive and made them afraid or concerned for their safety. 97 respondents (7.9%) reporting experiencing this conduct. 80.5% of people who experienced this reported telling someone about the incident, as follows:

• A friend: 87.5%
• A parent or guardian: 40.6%
• A romantic partner: 37.5%
• A roommate or housemate: 37.5%
• Another family member: 20.3%
• Faculty, administrator or staff: 17.2%
• University Police: 17.2%
• An RA or other residence hall staff: 10.9%
• Student Conduct: 10.9%
• A counselor: 9.4%

24.6 percent of individuals who experienced stalking stated that they reported this to the university.

Student respondents who did not report or share their experience were asked for the reasons. There were too few responses to present results to this question. 

Students who experienced sexual violence indicated that it impacted their plans as follows:

• 5.5% of students experiencing sexual violence changed their academic program.
• 11.9% of students who experienced sexual violence changed their academic schedule or housing.
• 4.6% of students who experienced sexual violence left school.
• 5.2% of students who experienced sexual violence transferred to a different school.

The majority of students expressed trust in UB’s investigatory process and ability to provide supportive measures.

• 77.7% agree or strongly agree that UB would take a report of sexual violence seriously (SUNY benchmark: 71.9%)
• 68.0% agree or strongly agree that UB would conduct a fair investigation (SUNY benchmark: 62.5%)
• 70.9% agree or strongly agree that UB would provide the student with the necessary support through the process (SUNY benchmark: 65.0%)

The majority of students felt that their fellow students would assist in the event of an incident.

• 65.0% believe it is likely or very likely that a fellow student would call for help if they heard a neighbor yelling help (SUNY benchmark: 61.6%).
• 59.0% believe a fellow student would confront a friend who tells them they had sex with someone who was passed out or who did not give consent (SUNY benchmark: 56.4%).
• 54.0% felt it was likely or very likely that a fellow student would express their discomfort if someone made a joke about a person’s body (SUNY benchmark: 48.6%).
• 76.6% believe it is likely or very likely that a fellow student would get help and resources for a friend who tells them that they have been assaulted (SUNY benchmark: 75.2%).
• 53.7% felt it is likely or very likely that a fellow student would tell a campus authority about information they have that might help in a sexual assault case even if they have been pressured not to disclose it (SUNY benchmark: 48.2%).

The percentage of employees who reported knowing how to report a sexual assault increased from 71% to 85%.

• 81% of employees were aware of University Police as a reporting avenue in 2019, while 95% of employees were aware of this in 2023.
• 44% of employees were aware of the Title IX Coordinator in 2019, while 82% of employees reported being aware of the Title IX Coordinator in 2023.
• The percentage of students who reported knowing how to report a sexual assault decreased slightly from 69% to 66% between 2019 and 2023. At the same time, higher percentages of students reported being aware of University Police (increase from 73% to 90%) and the Title IX Coordinator (increase from 47% to 76%) in the same time period.
• Importantly, the percentage of students who reported filing a formal complaint about their sexual harassment or sexual assault experience increased from 7% to 11%. The percentage of students who reported telling someone about the incident were roughly the same (39% in 2019, 40% in 2023).

The SUNY Sexual Violence Prevalence Campus Climate Survey revealed that while UB has made strides in increasing employee and student awareness of sexual misconduct policies, resources, and reporting, there remain areas of focus:

• More employees than students are aware of most policies and resources. We need to maintain efforts to increase student knowledge while being aware of training fatigue and the multiple demands on students’ time.
• Most employees and students indicated trust in UB’s processes for investigating and addressing sexual violence, yet sexual violence and sexual harassment are still underreported. UB should continue its focus on encouraging individuals to report when they have experienced sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct.
• Even though students indicated less awareness of the process for reporting stalking than sexual assault, a much higher percentage of students who experienced stalking reported it or told someone when compared with sexual assault. This underlines the difficulty in disclosing sexual assault, even to a family member or friend. While the #MeToo movement has helped people talk about their experiences with sexual assault, the data underscore that we still have work to do in order to destigmatize sexual assault reporting.