Faculty and Classroom Behavior
In general, results indicated that the vast majority of students believed that faculty members treated all students with respect and were interested in them. For example, over 92 percent of students from all groups at one college agreed that there were opportunities for mentor relationships with faculty. Students also agreed that faculty members generally showed personal interest in students regardless of race/ethnicity, gender, or disability and that faculty members treated all students the same.
Another college reported that 93 percent of the students reported good interaction between faculty and students within the classroom environment. Eighty-six percent of the students felt that faculty showed a personal interest in all students and 93 percent felt all students were treated the same by faculty.
Student Racial Climate
In general, students were positive about the extent to which the climate was accepting of individuals of different racial/ethnic backgrounds and about the level of integration at their college. For example, at one campus 78 percent of students indicated that positive interactions exist between minority and non-minority students and among different minority groups. Nearly two-thirds of the students agreed that open discussion of racial/ethnic issues occurred but also agreed that separate seating patterns by racial groups exist on campus.
A small contingent of students felt pressure from members of their own racial/ethnic group to limit the amount of social interaction with other racial/ethnic groups. However, at one campus, a majority of students reported they did not feel pressure to socialize with members of their own racial/ethnic group. Furthermore, students felt it important to socialize with members of other race/ethnic groups and different religions. Another college reported that students had many multicultural friendships and viewed favorably the racial climate among students.
Results from another college indicated that on-campus incidences of discrimination are rare. Also, the college was responsive in terms of sensitivity to the needs of different groups but ratings were not as positive as those received on other survey items.
Institutional Racial Climate
Overall, campuses reported that the majority of students surveyed had a positive perception of the racial climate at their institution. For instance, one college reported that 80 percent of the underrepresented students agreed that the college is sensitive to the needs of students of all race/ethnic groups. Close to 75 percent of students agreed or strongly agreed that courses, events, and programs reflected the perspectives of minorities and women and more than 80 percent of students agreed that they felt comfortable at the college and had a sense of belonging.
On another campus, students were asked about how individuals were portrayed in campus publications and whether the perspectives of minorities and women were included in college courses, events and programming. More than 92 percent of the students agreed that all individuals were positively portrayed in campus publications and that college courses, events, and programs included the perspectives of minorities and women. Only five percent or less of Black,
15
