UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 32, Page D1
May 21, 1992
Diversity
Survey examines perceptions of racial harmony

     The results of the University of Delaware Student Attitude
Survey, undertaken in spring 1991 by the Commission to Promote Racial
and Cultural Diversity, were released last month.
     The purpose of the survey was to address the issue of racial
harmony on the University campus. Participants in the survey were
black freshmen, white freshmen selected at random, black juniors and
white juniors selected at random.
     According to Cynthia Cummings, associate director for housing and
residence life, the survey was conducted in response to the perception
of black students that the environment at the University is not
hospitable to them.
     "Other surveys indicated that African-American students feel
comfortable in the classroom, but these same students feel
uncomfortable in their treatment by white students," Cummings said.
"White students have rarely been interviewed about their perceptions
on this issue. The commission wanted to see what the attitudes of
white students were and determine if they substantiated the black
students' claims."
     Though survey results were primarily from the majority
population-white students-Herbert Turner, University institutional
research analyst, reported that there is a "high degree of confidence
that the results reflect the attitudes of all freshmen and all
juniors."
     On average, students surveyed perceived the racial mix on campus
to be "about right." On the other hand, students surveyed either
disagreed or were undecided that the University provides "an
environment conducive to cultural interaction and free of
discrimination against women and minorities." And while many students
surveyed thought that culture- or group-specific programs are one
solution for equity, most stated that enough programs for women and
minorities are already available.
     More than half of the respondents stated they are comfortable
meeting students from different racial and ethnic groups, but they
interact primarily with white men and white women. African-Americans
and Asian-Americans were the groups most frequently named as those
with whom the surveyed students interact.
     "In contrast to these results," Turner pointed out, "more than
half the students are not comfortable meeting students with different
sexual orientations.
     The survey also revealed that the longer students attend the
University, the more positive the attitude to those of other races and
cultures.
     "I also noted some statistically significant differences in
responses broken down by gender, ethnicity and class," Turner said.
"In general, female students seemed more comfortable being with other
groups than did male students. And on multicultural issues, women
tended to be more sensitive and aware of concerns. Men tended to be
undecided."
     Turner added that the survey was not analyzed for differences
based on sexual orientation.
     The survey was based on similar surveys from other universities.