In spring of 2002, the campus Diversity Committee commissioned a Campus Climate Assessment from an independent consulting firm, Campus Ecology Services. The assessment focused on the broad question of the learning environment for students at CSM and more specifically on the climate for students of diversity. In general, the findings of the campus assessment corroborate the findings of the 1997 Academic Culture Committee Report: "It was acknowledged that there are many strengths in our culture, but there is also a need to improve in the ways we interact with students." The 2002 Campus Climate Assessment reported that students continue to clearly view the institution as one of the best schools in the world for the degree programs that it offers. Many students also reported, however, that the campus academic experience can be stressful. According to the report, students of diversity, in addition to experiencing this stress, find a campus climate that does not sufficiently recognize them in campus artifacts, print and electronic media, or in the staffing patterns of the institution. The report provides a series of recommendations for enhancing the general CSM learning environment and the environment for diversity. These recommendations are currently under study by the President and the Board of Trustees and will be shared with the campus community during the 2002-03 academic year.

Complete copies of the Academic Culture Committee Report (1997) and the Colorado School of Mines: Campus Climate Assessment (2002) are available from the President's Office.