Creating a Safe and Welcoming Climate

UCSF is committed to building and nurturing an inclusive community and culture that encompasses what our institution aspires to be: one of the best places to work and study, where we demonstrably live our UCSF PRIDE Values, and where the health and well-being of the UCSF community matters. Fostering a climate of inclusion, safety and belonging for learners and employees is foundational to the Anti-Racism Initiative and a central focus of the Office of Diversity and Outreach.

Core Areas of Work

Climate & Belonging

Inaugural Assistant Vice Chancellor of Climate and Belonging
Eddy Ruiz, PhD was appointed in August 2023 to lead and orchestrate belonging initiatives for both campus and health systems.

Climate Survey & Action Planning
The campuswide survey is designed to help the University better understand people's perceptions and experiences about the environment in which they work and learn. With the survey findings, UCSF leaders develop action plans and strategic initiatives to improve the overall climate for everyone.

Office of Diversity & Outreach Resource Centers
The Office of Diversity & Outreach (ODO) provides support and resources for our diverse communities across UCSF through the Disability Resource Center, LGBT Resource Center, and Multicultural Resource Center.

CARE Advocate
The Campus Advocacy and Resources and Education (CARE) Program offers free and confidential support to UCSF community members who have experienced harassment, abuse or discrimination related to identity and to those who have experienced interpersonal violence. An inaugural role, the CARE Advocate for Racial Justice was established in August 2022.

Diversity Committees
Representing the diverse campus community, the committees make recommendations, share lived and professional experiences and amplify concerns their communities to further the success and diversity mission at UCSF.

Land Acknowledgement
Established in September 2020, the formal statement was created in consultation with members of the Ramaytush Ohlone community to recognize and respect Indigenous peoples as stewards of the land and to highlight the enduring relationships that exist between Indigenous peoples and their traditional territories.

Restorative Justice Practices (RJP)
The Office of RJP facilitates restorative justice practices to UCSF community members by applying a restorative mindset to foster mutual respective, empathy and trust.

UCSF Health

• Code CARE is a UCSF Health de-escalation and crisis intervention program with an anti-racism and trauma informed care lens to provide optimal care when racial, medical, or policy concerns arise for patients and families.
• Benioff Children's Hospitals (BCH) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism (DEI/AR) Council is charged with overseeing and supporting progress toward achieving the vision of diversity and inclusion for the BCH enterprise.
• Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG) Equity Council aims to address ongoing concerns on health disparities and to create an anti-racism environment where all members feel valued.

Compliance

The Office of Diversity and Outreach works in partnership with the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination, Office of the Ombuds and Risk Advisory and Insurance Services to coordinate and guide compliance efforts across UCSF according to the UC Sexual Violence Sexual Harassment Policy and Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace Policy.

Police & Security

Identification Cards Policy
The policy was established to ensure the distribution and use of photo identification cards for all University employees and students to assure a safe and secure work environment.

UC Community Safety Plan Dashboard
The plan includes community safety statistics, safety plan action resources and results from customer satisfaction to promote transparency and continuous improvement through data, as well as accountability and independent oversight.

Re-image Campus and Health Security Officers
In 2021, the UCSF Police Department refocused security personnel as Public Safety Ambassadors for UCSF Campus and Protective Safety Officers for UCSF Medical Centers, to adopt a customer service approach that makes people feel welcome.

Police Accountability Board
An independent, civilian accountability body has developed procedures to review investigation reports on complaints filed against University of California Police Department (UCPD). Police complaint investigations cases are led and reviewed by an independent investigation group at UC Davis.

UCSF Safety Task Force
Established in summer of 2020, the Task Force recommended ways to ensure that UCSF's policing and security protocols serve our community without discrimination, bias, or unnecessary use of force, and create a safe and welcoming environment for all.

How We Are Doing

Status of UCSF's Climate

The 2021 UCSF Climate Survey was conducted among faculty, staff, and learners from October 11 to December 3, 2021. A total of 14,579 faculty (56%), staff (44%) and learners (35%) responded, representing about 44% of the total population.

70% of the respondent feel either "comfortable" or "very comfortable" but challenges remain regarding the experiences of three historically underrepresented groups – Black/African American, people with disabilities, and trans and non-binary people. The data below is taken from the questions on the comfortable level and experience of exclusionary behavior. Read or watch the presentation on the survey findings or read the Executive Summary + Full Report.