What is meant by the “climate” of educational and workplace settings? 

Climate: The atmosphere or ambience of an organization as perceived by its members. An organization’s climate is reflected in its structures, policies, and practices; the demographics of its membership; the attitudes and values of its members and leaders; and the quality of personal interactions. 

— UW-Madison Committee on Women in the University, Work Group on Climate.

Campus Climate: Behaviors within a workplace or learning environment, ranging from subtle to cumulative to dramatic, that can influence whether an individual feels personally safe, listened to, valued, and treated fairly and with respect.

— UW-Madison Committee on Women in the University, Work Group on Climate.

Chilly Climate: An environment that dampens women’s self-esteem, confidence, aspirations and their participation in a particular activity – e.g., academics, sports, politics, etc. 

— Segen’s Medical Dictionary