Published August 31, 2022
The INSPIRES Index is a tool that measures, evaluates, and represents an institution’s efforts toward establishing a welcoming climate for students of differing religious, secular, and spiritual identities. It is a collaboration between researchers at The Ohio State University and North Carolina State and was informed by data collected from students through the Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey (IDEALS). A team of Student Life staff completed a questionnaire on behalf of U-M, and responses were used to determine a ‘star level’ that reflects the level of welcome, both overall and in seven specific domains -- religious accommodations, institutional behaviors, efforts to reduce negative engagement, extra-curricular engagement, space for support and expression, structural diversity, and academic engagement. More information can be found on the INSPIRES project website.