Belonging Survey, Definition Now Available; Website to Launch in Fall

Photo by Russell Cothren

A survey is now available for the campus community to share their thoughts and experiences regarding belonging at the U of A, and a website will be launched this fall as a hub for belonging efforts on campus.  

The 10-minute survey is designed to gauge how current students, faculty and staff perceive their own belonging on our campus. Additionally, the belonging committee will engage campus in conversations throughout the fall to gather perspectives on belonging and community that will be used to inform an action plan for strengthening the culture of belonging on campus. 

“Our belonging efforts are moving forward, and we are excited to share our next steps with the campus community,” said Anthony DiNicola, inclusion liasion and co-chair of the committee. “This survey will be one of the tools to help us ensure that every member of our campus community has the opportunity for their voice to be heard.” 

Earlier this summer, the belonging committee began work on strengthening the campus’ sense of community and culture of belonging. Over the summer, the group has worked to begin defining belonging and identify the areas of the student experience that are critical to creating a sense of belonging. 

The committee has also formed a working definition for belonging as it relates to the U of A: 

“Belonging is defined by each of us and connects us all as Razorbacks. From showing up to engagement to responsibility.

When belonging happens, you feel…

• Part of something that is greater than yourself. 
• Empowered to explore self and community. 
• Your voice matters to the community. 
• Encouraged to learn from diverse experiences.”

A website will also be launched in the fall semester that will serve as a storytelling tool for students’ experiences of belonging on campus. 

“We want to create a place where our students can share their own experiences of finding belonging on this campus, not only to demonstrate the powerful potential for belonging to connect us all through our shared experiences, but to help other students identify paths to help find their own belonging here at the U of A,” said Lori Lander, assistant vice chancellor for campus life and co-chair of the committee.

To participate, or to find out more information about the belonging efforts on campus, contact Lander at llander@uark.edu or DiNicola at anthonyd@uark.edu. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.