Sexual orientation has been socially prominent in the national media lately, but little is known about how college creates opportunity for thinking about sexual orientation among individual students. Using data from the Diverse Learning Environments survey, administered by the Higher Education Research Institute, we compared samples of…

Targeting four institutions with structured science research programs for undergraduates, this study focuses on how underrepresented students experience science. Several key themes emerged from focus group discussions: learning to become research scientists, experiences with the culture of science, and views on racial and social stigma.…

American college students are often viewed in terms of inputs and outcomes, due in part to the assessment movement and interest in college impact. A more complete view sees the relationship between student and college as reciprocal and dynamic. The ecological perspective views students as actively shaping their educational environments, with the…

Based on a study of the general education statements and course requirements of 322 colleges/universities, describes 4 types of curricula--the diverse, personalized/individual, integrative curricula, and interdisciplinary core/major dominated programs. Ties each type to institutional characteristics, faculty teaching practices, and student…

Colleges can create conditions to maximize the learning that occurs in an environment with a diverse student population. Studies indicate that students who interact with diverse peers demonstrate more complex thinking linked to both cognitive and to social development. Research literature provides strong support for institutional commitment to…

A study of adjustment of Latino college freshmen and sophomores used data from a longitudinal survey and a questionnaire on student adaptation to college. Results show that dimensions of the campus climate and common transitional experiences affect all forms of student adjustment in the first year. Implications are found for further college…

A national survey of Latino college sophomores and juniors (n=859) in 224 colleges investigated their perceptions and experiences of the campus environment for talented Hispanic students, peer understanding of Latino culture, discrimination or resistance of Latino presence, and general institutional climate for diversity. (MSE)

Increasingly diverse student enrollments at institutions of higher education have led to a variety of positive efforts which directly impact teaching and learning. These include research on diverse learning styles, increased emphasis on improving scientific and quantitative literacy of undergraduates, and research findings supporting…

This study used data from a 1992-93 national survey of college teaching faculty (n=29,771) to examine attitudes toward institutional attempts to regulate racist and sexist on-campus speech. Most faculty supported prohibition of hate speech but were less likely to support administrators' right to ban extreme speakers. Unanticipated patterns were…

Summarizes research findings on campus racial climate according to a four-dimensional model: (1) an institutions' historical legacy of inclusion/exclusion of various racial/ethnic groups; (2) structural diversity, or numerical representations of various racial/ethnic groups; (3) psychological climate (perceptions, attitudes among groups); and (4)…

Examines the extent to which Latino students' background characteristics and college experiences in the first and second years contribute to their sense of belonging in the third year. Identifies several experiences as having a positive effect on first year students and notes the negative effect of a hostile racial climate. (MJP)

Highlights key issues for consideration in institutional research on college climate, including those that affect women, racial and ethnic minorities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered students; and disabled students. These climate issues are also pertinent to majority students in diverse environments and are quickly becoming a regular…

An examination of data from several studies investigated white (n=1,825), African-American (n=328), and Chicano (n=340) college student perceptions of campus racial climate and institutional commitment to cultural diversity. Student demographic variables were considered. Results indicated common and distinct views concerning the environment types…