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At Mount Royal, we seek to cultivate a campus community that embodies belonging, participation and community engagement. Community Snapshot is a multi-phase initiative focused on collecting and analyzing data to strengthen the Mount Royal community and support the University’s strategic goals. Together, we can continue our commitment that MRU is a place where people feel valued, respected and included. See yourself in the picture — thank you for taking part in this important initiative.
See yourself in the picture
The survey will be open from Tuesday, Oct. 28 through the end of day on Friday, Nov. 28 for the initial data collection period. Participation is voluntary, and you can choose "prefer not to respond" for any question. The survey takes about five minutes to complete. You can access the survey on this page, and on the Employee page of MyMRU. Please ensure that you are logged into your mtroyal.ca account on a Chrome browser before you get started. Use your mtroyal.ca user name and log in to access the survey.
The Community Snapshot will run in tandem with HR’s Employee Engagement Survey. As a thank you for completing both surveys — Community Snapshot and Employee Engagement Survey for HR — by end of day on Nov. 28 you are eligible to win one of six $100 Everything Cards, which allow you to select your own gift card. If you choose to enter, please select the option to do so at the end of the Employee Engagement survey. Winners will be contacted directly and names will not be announced.
Phase 1: Community Snapshot
From Tuesday, Oct. 28 to Friday, Nov. 28, Mount Royal is conducting our first Community Snapshot. By taking part, you contribute valuable insights that will guide the University’s strategic initiatives to support belonging, participation and community engagement.
Led by the Office of Community and Belonging, this survey was developed in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Research and Planning (OIRP); Human Resources; and ITS; in consultation with the Mount Royal Faculty Association (MRFA); the Mount Royal Staff Association (MRSA); the Joint Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (JEDIC); the President’s EDI Advisory Committee; and the Office of Indigenization and Decolonization. We appreciate the valuable knowledge these groups contributed and look forward to their continued engagement as the project evolves.
Why are we collecting this data and how will it be used?
This survey is an essential step in our ongoing work to advance the University’s strategic goals around belonging, participation and community engagement. The data collected in the Community Snapshot will be used to:
- Identify areas where we can enhance belonging, participation and community engagement.
- Develop current and future cross-institutional initiatives, including campus improvements.
Confidentiality and privacy
Your responses are completely confidential and will only be used in aggregate form for reporting purposes. As such, it will not affect your employment, benefits, performance evaluations, or opportunities at MRU. The data is strictly for the purposes of strategic and data-driven institutional planning and reporting. All collected data will be securely stored and handled in accordance with the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA). If you have questions about how your information will be used, contact us at CommunitySnapshot@mtroyal.ca.
What’s next?
Once the initial collection period ends, OIRP will analyze the data. The information will provide a snapshot in time of MRU employees in Fall 2025, creating a baseline for future reference.
After the initial collection period, the Community Snapshot will remain open. You can return and update your information as it changes, such as your caregiver status or education level. New employees will be asked to complete the survey when they join Mount Royal, providing data on our ever-changing community.
The first phase of the Community Snapshot focuses on employees; we plan to offer a student-focused survey in 2026.
Detailed information on the questions and why we’re asking them
It’s important that our community understands the process behind the creation and implementation of these survey questions. Each question has been carefully designed based on best practices, legal frameworks and research-backed methodologies to ensure the collection of meaningful, accurate and actionable data.
You can find detailed information in the Community Snapshot survey. On the introduction page, click on the Employee Demographic Purpose Document link that can be found in the Protection of Privacy Act section.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the survey, the data collection process, or how your information will be used, contact us at CommunitySnapshot@mtroyal.ca. If you are having issues accessing the survey (after checking that you are signed into your mtroyal.ca account on a Chrome browser), contact the ITS Service desk at mru.ca/ITShelp or at 403.440.6000.
Frequently asked questions
Check below for answers to frequently asked questions. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, contact us at communitysnapshot@mtroyal.ca.
What is the Community Snapshot?
The Community Snapshot is a short, confidential survey designed to help Mount Royal understand the diversity of our community. It collects demographic data to inform strategic initiatives that support an inclusive workplace and learning environment. The first phase focuses on employees; we are planning a second phase in 2026 that focuses on students.
Why is MRU conducting this survey?
The survey is part of MRU’s commitment to cultivating a community that embodies belonging, participation and community engagement. The information collected will help:
Identify areas where we can enhance belonging, participation and community engagement.
Develop current and future cross-institutional initiatives, including campus improvements.
How long will the survey take to complete?
The survey should take approximately five minutes to complete.
Is participation in the survey mandatory?
No, participation is completely voluntary. Employees are encouraged to participate, but you may choose not to answer any question by selecting “Prefer not to respond.”
I can’t access the survey.
Please ensure that you are signed into your mtroyal.ca account on a Chrome browser. Use your mtroyal.ca user name and password to log into the survey. If you are still experiencing issues, contact the ITS Service desk at mru.ca/ITShelp or at 403.440.6000.
There’s a draw for gift cards?
Yes! As a thank you, respondents who complete both the Community Snapshot and the Employee Engagement Survey by end of day on Friday, Nov. 28 can choose to be entered in a random draw to win one of six $100 Everything Cards. Winners’ names will not be announced or shared publicly. Winners will be contacted directly.
How do I select more than one answer to a question?
To select multiple answers, if you're on a PC, select Ctrl + click; if you're on a Mac, use Command + click.
Yes. All responses will be kept strictly confidential. The data will be collected and securely stored in a protected Banner database and will only be reported in aggregate form. This means that no individual responses will be identifiable when aggregate data/reports are shared outside of OIRP.
Is the survey anonymous?
The Community Snapshot is confidential but not anonymous. This is to ensure the data can be analyzed in meaningful ways, such as identifying trends among different employee groups, Faculties, departments, etc. While individual responses are linked to a unique identifier (different than employee ID#) for analysis, strict measures are in place to protect confidentiality. Only authorized personnel analyzing the data will have access to the responses, and results will be reported in aggregate form to prevent identification of individual respondents. This approach helps to address specific organizational needs while maintaining your privacy.
How will my information be used?
The data collected will be used to analyze workplace diversity and guide MRU’s strategies. It will help inform policies, programs and initiatives that support an equitable work environment. The data will only be used for reporting at the aggregate level — individual responses will never be shared.
Who will have access to the data?
Only authorized personnel in OIRP, who are responsible for data analysis, will have access to individual responses. The data will be securely stored in a protected Banner database and used solely for institutional planning and reporting.
Will my responses impact my employment in any way?
No. The information collected will not affect your employment, benefits, performance evaluations, or opportunities at MRU. It is strictly for institutional planning and reporting purposes.
The survey includes questions about:
- Ethnicity and cultural background
- Gender identity and sexual orientation
- Persons with a disability
- Indigenous Peoples
- Country of birth and current legal (citizenship) status
- First language
- Belief systems/Religious affiliation
- Education level
- Caregiver status
What if I don’t feel comfortable answering a question?
You can choose "Prefer not to respond" for any question you do not wish to answer.
How do I access the survey?
Access the Community Snapshot now. In addition, you can access the survey on the Employee page of MyMRU.
How long will the survey be open?
Once it launches on Oct. 28, the survey will always be open. Tuesday, Oct. 28 through Friday, Nov. 28 is the initial data collection period. The data from this time period will be analyzed and aggregate insights created. If your information changes — for example, your caregiver status or education level — simply update it in the survey, which will always be open.
Will this survey be conducted again?
The Community Snapshot is part of ongoing demographic data collection efforts. Tuesday, Oct. 28 through Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 is the initial data collection period. The data from this time period will be analyzed and aggregate insights created. If your information changes — for example, your caregiver status or education level — simply update it in the survey, which will always be open.
What happens next?
After data collection is complete, the responses will be analyzed to help shape policies, programs and initiatives that support an inclusive workplace and learning environment. A student-focused Community Snapshot will launch in 2026. The Employee Engagement Survey is running in tandem with the Community Snapshot launch through November.
If you have any questions, please contact CommunitySnapshot@mtroyal.ca.