Recent results of surveys from two leading research universities examining campus climate revealed major disparities between the experiences and views of White faculty and those of underrepresented minority groups on issues of diversity and inclusion.
The University of Iowa and the University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) over the last 18 months have released the results of their surveys, which include students, faculty and staff. Although the campuses are dissimilar in population demographics, the results reflected similar disparities between the views and experiences of White faculty compared with faculty of color. In the surveys, minority faculty expressed lower levels of satisfaction compared to their majority counterparts and cited both overt and subtle forms of bias. The key findings were generally in line with published data on the subject.
Dr. Georgina Dodge, who was recently appointed vice president for diversity and inclusion at UMD, tells Diverse, “Climate surveys are important for us to collect and compare data about how people are experiencing our institutions, but there is and has been a wealth of information and research demonstrating that the experiences of marginalized identities are more negative than those of the mainstream.” She notes that she was not at either Iowa or UMD “during the implementation of those surveys, so my perspective is as an outside observer.”
Dodge, who has served as the chief diversity officer at Bucknell and at the University of Iowa, also says, “It is critical that we continue the important work of creating inclusive environments on our campuses for everyone.”
UMD began its survey after the May 2017 stabbing death of a young Black man, 2nd Lt. Richard Collins. The trial of the White former UMD student charged with the murder has been postponed to December. The murder and subsequent demands for the university to address racism, discrimination and bias on the College Park campus led to the survey.
“The murder was charged as a hate crime against a former UMD student, which caused an intense campus reaction highlighting concerns about hate/bias incidents and other campus climate-related events at UMD,” the introduction to the campus climate report states.
Universities face diversity challenges
