UW-River Falls

Climate Studies: Students

University of Wisconsin-River Falls Student Climate Survey, Spring 1998

During the Spring 1998 semester, over 575 undergraduate UWRF completed a survey assessing aspects of the University's organizational climate related to diversity issues for women, people of color, and gays, lesbians, and bi-sexuals. The survey assessed the University's overall climate, levels of institutional civility and support for actions designed to increase the awareness of gender, racial, ethnic, and sexual orientation-based issues and concerns. The survey gathered information on respondents': demographics; feelings toward UWRF; perception of the likelihood of discriminatory behaviors by faculty, staff, or other students; perceptions of faculty, staff, and student interactions across campus; actual experiences with discrimination; and evaluation of campus activities linked to diversity awareness.

Feelings about UW-RF

Responses of All Students

• Relatively high levels of attachment and positive feelings toward University

• Ranked lowest: Feeling that they generally know what's happening across campus

Male vs. Female Respondents

• More females indicate having an enjoyable experience at UWRF

• Females: Significantly lower levels of agreement with University policies, feeling safe on and off campus

Responses from Students of Color vs. White Students

• More students of color agree with statement, "The University inspires me to perform at my best."

Likelihood of Unhealthy Climate Items

Responses of All Students

• Students see little chance that specific actions could take place on campus

• Higher levels of potential for occurrence:

• Possibility that gay or lesbian students were referred to using derogatory terms

• Likelihood that a male student:

• Made demeaning remarks about a female by referring to her body parts

• Participate more often in class discussions than female students

Male vs. Female Respondents

• Males more likely to agree with statement, "UWRF would be a better place without all those foreign students."

Responses from Students of Color vs. White Students

• Whites: Greater likelihood of the discriminatory actions occurring:

• Chances that male students made demeaning remarks about females, that females made demeaning remarks about men, that female instructors answered male students more than females, that instructors interrupted female students in class discussions and that all students used racial slurs

Climate Indicator Items

Responses of All Students

• Assessed respect and trust levels among members of University community:

• In general, positive assessment

• Lowest ratings: Level at which gay and lesbian students are accepted and student awareness of campus resources that address issues of discrimination

Male vs. Female Respondents

• Females agreed more: "Affirmative Action leads to hiring less qualified employees," "UWRF places too much emphasis on race," and "Diversity tends to splinter the student body."

Responses from Students of Color vs. White Students

• Students of color:

• Higher levels of agreement in perceived acceptance of gay and lesbian students, the awareness of services related to discriminatory actions or behaviors items

• Lower levels of agreement with statements: "My fellow students treat me with the same respect as all other students," and "Faculty provide me with the same opportunities as other students."

Experience with Discrimination Items

Responses of All Students

• Few actual experiences with discriminatory behavior

• Somewhat greater frequency of being treated rudely by a faculty member, administrator, or other students since arriving at UWRF

Male vs. Female Respondents

• Men: Greater frequency of harassment due to sexual orientation or gender

• Women: Greater frequency with both gender harassment and unwanted touching

Responses from Students of Color vs. White Students

• Significantly more students of color indicate actually being harassed or assaulted because of their race

Character of Overall Climate Items

Responses of All Students

• Students rated the campus as somewhat more racist and sexist

Male vs. Female Respondents

• No significant differences between respondents

Responses from Students of Color vs. White Students

• No significant differences between respondents

Actions Related to Diversity Items

Responses of All Students

• Relative strong and favorable support for policies and actions to address the diversification of the campus (could strengthen the University)

Male vs. Female Respondents

• More women than men suggest actions:

• Promoting more events related to ethnic and racial diversity, gender differences

• Increasing the number of students, faculty, and staff of color

Responses from Students of Color vs. White Students

• Support for variety of actions do not vary across different racial groups

• Exception--Students of color: Significantly more support for increasing the University's diversity requirement

Additional Results

• Very few significant differences were found across students from different class standings, age, or grade point