The survey asked respondents about their perceptions of the campus climate on unwanted sexual contact and sexual assault, their perceptions of how the College addresses and responds to sexual assault, and the extent to which the respondent reported that they had or had not personally experienced unwanted sexual contact or sexual assault.
In all, 142 students completed the 2017-18 survey, for a response rate of 32.4%. Student participation was voluntary, and responses were kept completely anonymous. Of those who responded, 77% identified as female, 16% as male, and 6% as nonbinary. Ninety percent of respondents said they lived in a residence hall or other campus housing.
New York State requires all colleges and universities to conduct a campus climate assessment at least every other year. The 2017-18 survey results proved useful in focusing the College's efforts in educating the campus community about how to report such incidents and about resources that are available to them. The survey also provided a baseline of data that can be used for comparative purposes in the future, as well as help compare Wells to national averages in these areas.
