Campus Climate Survey
Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey Summary
Fordham University conducted the 2024 Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey from November 7, 2024 through January 31, 2025.
The survey was administered to 16,492 students throughout the university. 1840 students responded with a response rate of 11.15%. For the most recent survey sent in 2021, the survey was administered to 15,711 students with 1748 total respondents, for a response rate of 11.12%. Prior surveys were administered in 2019, 2017, and 2015.
The purpose of this anonymous survey is to assess students’ knowledge of Fordham’s policies and procedures regarding sexual and related misconduct as well as their experiences and/or observations regarding these issues. The goals of the survey are to gather as much information as possible to best address these matters, to create strategies to combat sexual misconduct, and to better equip our students with the tools and support necessary to manage any concerns that may arise.
Demographics:
Gender Identity:
- 69.99% of respondents identify as women compared to 68.29% in 2021
- 25.29% identify as men compared to 27.10% in 2021
- 2.06% identify as non-binary compared to 2.37% in 2021
- 1.18% identify as genderqueer/gender non-conforming compared to 1.65% in 2021
- 0.18% identify as identity not listed compared to 0.61% in 2021
| What is your current gender identity? | 2021: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey | 2024: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Woman | 68.29% | 69.99% |
| Man | 27.10% | 25.29% |
| Non-binary | 2.37% | 2.06% |
| Genderqueer/Gender non-conforming | 1.64% | 1.18% |
| Identity not listed above (please specify) | 0.61% | 0.18% |
| Prefer not to respond | 0.00% | 1.30% |
| Total Respondents | 1646 | 1696 |
- 2.42% of respondents identify as transgender compared to 2.13% in 2021
| Do you identify as transgender? | 2021: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey | 2024: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 2.13% | 2.42% |
| No | 97.87% | 97.58% |
| Total Respondents | 1646 | 1695 |
Ethnicity:
- 21.09% define their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino compared to 16.96%in 2021
- 78.91% define their ethnicity as Not Hispanic or Latino compared to 83.04% in 2021
| What is your ethnicity (as you define it)? | 2021: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey | 2024: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | 16.96% | 21.09% |
| Not Hispanic or Latino | 83.04% | 78.91% |
| Total Respondents | 1639 | 1688 |
Race:
- 0.98% define their race as American Indian or Alaska Native compared to 1.86% in 2021
- 21.21% define their race as Asian compared to 20.55% in 2021
- 10.97% define their race as Black or African American compared to 7.76% in 2021
- 0.61% define their race as Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander compared to 0.87% in 2021
- 67.28% define their race as White compared to 71.07% in 2021
- 8.53% define their race as Two or More compared to 7.08% in 2021
| What is your race (as you define it)? (Check all that apply) | 2021: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey | 2024: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey |
|---|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 1.86% | 0.98% |
| Asian | 20.55% | 22.21% |
| Black or African American | 7.76% | 10.97% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0.87% | 0.61% |
| White | 71.07% | 67.28% |
| Two or More | 7.08% | 8.53% |
| Total Respondents | 1611 | 1641 |
Sexual Orientation:
- 20.02% define their sexual orientation as Bisexual compared to 19.99% in 2021
- 3.40% define their sexual orientation as Gay compared to 3.55% in 2021
- 64.84% define their sexual orientation as Heterosexual compared to 65.16% in 2021
- 3.87% define their sexual orientation as Lesbian compared to 3.00% in 2021
- 3.69% define their sexual orientation as Questioning compared to 3.85% in 2021
- 4.17% define their sexual orientation as Other compared to 4.46% in 2021
| Which term best describes your sexual orientation? | 2021: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey | 2024: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Bisexual | 19.99% | 20.02% |
| Gay | 3.55% | 3.40% |
| Heterosexual | 65.16% | 64.84% |
| Lesbian | 3.00% | 3.87% |
| Questioning | 3.85% | 3.69% |
| Other (please specify) | 4.46% | 4.17% |
| Total Respondents | 1636 | 1678 |
Academic Status:
- 33.87% of respondents were Graduate/Professional Students compared to 34.83% in 2021
- 65.13% of respondents were Undergraduate Students compared to 64.14% in 2021
- 1.00% of respondents were Other Students compared to 1.03% in 2021
| What is your current status? | 2021: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey | 2024: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey |
|---|---|---|
| First year undergraduate student | 22.07% | 18.32% |
| Second year undergraduate student | 14.04% | 14.24% |
| Third year undergraduate student | 15.74% | 16.25% |
| Fourth year undergraduate student | 12.28% | 16.31% |
| Graduate/Professional Student | 34.83% | 33.87% |
| Other (please specify) | 1.03% | 1.00% |
| Total Respondents | 1645 | 1692 |
Resident Status:
- 35.89% of respondents live on campus or in University-sponsored off-campus housing compared to 36.17% in 2021
- 64.02% of respondents are living at home or in off-campus housing not operated by the University compared to 63.83% in 2021
| What is your resident status? | 2021: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey | 2024: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Resident (living on campus or in University-operated off campus housing) | 36.17% | 35.98% |
| Commuter (living at home or in off campus housing that is not operated by the University) | 63.83% | 64.02% |
| Total Respondents | 1645 | 1690 |
General Findings:
- 91.98% of respondents to the 2024 survey agree or strongly agree that faculty, staff, and administrators treat students fairly, an increase from 86.73% in 2021.
- There was a very slight increase in students’ responses regarding feeling safe on campus. 95.81% of 2024 respondents reported feeling safe on campus compared to 94.65% in 2021.
- 76.42% of 2024 respondents reported that the university would handle a campus crisis well compared to 68.12% in 2021.
- There was a significant increase in the number of 2024 respondents (77.37%) who feel there is a good support system on campus compared to 61.86% of 2021 respondents.
- There was also a significant increase in the number of 2024 respondents (80.63%) who reported that the campus authorities would take a report of sexual assault seriously compared to 74.06% in 2021 as well as an increase in respondents who reported that the university would protect the safety of the person making the report (79.35% in 2024 and 73.16% in 2021.)
- From 2021 to 2024, the percentage of respondents reporting that they received education on sexual assault policies and procedures increased by 5 percentage points, from 72.37% to 77.53%. Approximately 97% of respondents in both years found the education to be useful.
- 76.54% of 2024 respondents reported that they would know where to get help if they or a friend were sexually assaulted compared to 68.95% in 2021. Also, 75.24% of 2024 respondents feel that Fordham administers the procedures to address complaints fairly compared to 64.34% in 2021.
Findings Regarding Experience with Sexual Assault:
Since your arrival at Fordham, has anyone had sexual contact with you by using physical force or threatening to physically harm you?
| Physical force or harm | 2021: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey | 2024: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 7.95% | 7.49% |
| No | 92.05% | 92.51% |
| Total Respondents | 1295 | 1336 |
Since your arrival at Fordham, has anyone attempted but not succeeded in having sexual contact with you by using or threatening to use physical force against you?
| Threatening Physical force or harm | 2021: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey | 2024: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 7.41% | 7.79% |
| No | 92.59% | 92.21% |
| Total Respondents | 1295 | 1335 |
Since your arrival at Fordham, has someone had sexual contact with you when you were unable to provide consent or stop what was happening because you were passed out, drugged, incapacitated, or asleep? This question asks about incidents that you are certain happened.
| Sexual Contact | 2021: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey | 2024: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 6.21% | 5.02% |
| No | 93.79% | 94.98% |
| Total Respondents | 1272 | 1314 |
Since your arrival at Fordham, have you suspected that someone has had sexual contact with you when you were unable to provide consent or stop what was happening because you were passed out, drugged, incapacitated, or asleep? This question asks about events that you think (but are not certain) happened.
| Suspected Sexual Contact | 2021: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey | 2024: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 4.87% | 3.19% |
| No | 95.13% | 96.81% |
| Total Respondents | 1273 | 1317 |
Where did the incident occur?
| Incident Location | 2021: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey | 2024: Sexual and Related Misconduct Campus Climate Survey |
|---|---|---|
| Off campus (please specify) | 70.25% | 72.08% |
| On campus (please specify) | 31.65% | 31.17% |
| Other location (please specify) | 3.16% | 4.55% |
| Unsure | 5.70% | 4.55% |
| Total Respondents | 158 | 154 |
Just prior to the incidents of sexual assault, 80.00% of 2024 respondents who responded that they had been sexually assaulted indicated they had been drinking alcohol, 29.33% of those respondents also indicated they were voluntarily using drugs, and 14.67% of those respondents indicated they were given a drug without consent, compared to 87.5%, 18.56%, and 17.53%, respectively in 2021.
- 12.82% of the 2024 respondents did not tell anyone about the assault compared to 11.04% in 2021.
- 17.78% of 2024 respondents used the university’s procedures to report the incident compared to 9.15% in 2021.
- 69.56% of 2024 respondents who used the university’s procedures reported that it was helpful while 30.43% reported that it was not at all helpful compared to 2021 results of 61.53% and 38.46% respectively.
Students’ Knowledge of Availability of Help
Findings Regarding Students’ Knowledge of Availability of Help Regarding Sexual Assault – there has been marked improvement in all categories below:
- 76.54% of 2024 respondents would know where to go to get help if they or a friend were sexually assaulted compared to 68.78% in 2021.
- 69.96% of 2024 respondents are familiar with the University’s Sexual and Related Misconduct Policy and Procedures compared to 62.03% in 2021.
- 63.99% of 2024 respondents are familiar with the role of the University’s Title IX Coordinator compared to 56.2% in 2021.
- 82.97% of 2024 respondents are familiar with the definition of affirmative consent compared to 80.73% in 2021.
- 76.53% of 2024 respondents are familiar with the availability of resources on and off campus if they are a survivor or have been accused of sexual and related misconduct compared to 68.86% in 2021.
- 69.11% of 2024 respondents are familiar with where to report sexual and related misconduct compared to 60.87% in 2021.
- 67.48% of 2024 respondents are familiar with where to confidentially report sexual and related misconduct compared to 58.74% in 2021.
Review/Actions/Recommendations:
In 2024, Fordham University’s Title IX Office moved to the Office of Student Affairs. The Title IX Office is staffed by the Title IX Coordinator and the addition of an Assistant Dean for Student Sexual Misconduct Prevention, Education and Conduct Resolution. In addition, the Title IX Office is supported by a Deputy Title IX Coordinator in Human Resources, a Deputy Title IX Coordinator in Athletics, and a Deputy Title IX Coordinator in the Office of the Provost.
After reviewing the results, we were pleased to see improvement across a variety of categories, namely students’ confidence in campus safety and confidence in the seriousness of reporting. With these improvements in mind, we remain committed to continuous improvement of our policies and procedures, and the perception of such by our everchanging campus community. Although there was an increase of 5% of students reporting that they have received education about sexual assault policies and procedures, and there was marked improvement in students’ knowledge of available help and resources, continuous and more robust training is recommended. Current mandatory training includes a required online sexual assault prevention training completed in the summer by incoming students, a mandatory orientation session, as well as required in person early fall core programming for first year students. With over 30% of 2024 respondents indicating they were graduate students, the Title IX Coordinator is exploring the possibility of formalizing training in the graduate schools and with graduate students and graduate teaching assistants.
Throughout the year, Resident Assistants, Commuter Assistants, and Resident Directors hold various programs around these topics in each residential area for students to engage with this material in different ways. The core programming includes an overview of Fordham’s Sexual and Related Misconduct Policy, discussions on consent, healthy relationships and bystander intervention, as well as supportive measures available to students. The Title IX Coordinator also provides in person annual training to all athletic teams and student club leaders. The goal of the Title IX Office is to enhance the existing programming with tailored events that delve more deeply into the topics of consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention. There are ongoing efforts to increase programmatic offerings across all Fordham campuses through collaborations with various departments in Student Affairs and engagement with student groups including Fordham’s student government. Additionally, there are hopes to introduce a formal bystander intervention program to Fordham’s campus to empower the campus community to be as informed as possible regarding sexual misconduct prevention.
While the survey provides valuable data and there is some basis for optimism, everyone at Fordham understands that there is no excuse for sexual harassment or sexual assault of any kind. One assault is one too many. We must continue to rely on our community and its strong Jesuit-derived commitment to others to ensure that our students and our entire campus community feel safe and welcome. Fordham University is committed to continue to support anyone affected by sexual assault and to provide all necessary supportive measures and services.
If you have concerns, ideas or recommendations regarding how to address incidents of sexual harassment, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or domestic violence, please contact Liz Fanelli, Title IX Coordinator, at [email protected].