MADISON, Wis — Minority, disabled and gay students say they’re having a tougher time surviving on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus than most students, according to a survey the university released Wednesday.
The survey found about 80 percent of student respondents said they often felt welcome and respected at UW-Madison. However, only 65 percent of students of color, 67 percent of disabled students, 69 percent of LGBT students and 50 percent of transgender and nonbinary students – those who don’t identify as either sex – said they felt welcome.
About 11 percent of students reported experiencing incidents of hostile, harassing or intimidating behavior directed at them. Female students, students of color, LGBT students, students with a disability and students who identify as transgender or nonbinary were more likely to report being involved in such incidents.
UW-Madison’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Educational Achievement and the UW Survey Center conducted the survey in fall 2016, with about 21 percent of the university’s 42,000 students completing the survey online.
First-generation, international, transfer, Muslim and Buddhist students as well as students from a working class background reported a less positive campus climate. White and politically conservative students were more likely to feel respected and welcome, the survey found.
A little more than 1 in 4 students reported feeling expected to represent the point of view of their identity in class. Forty percent reported that was a negative experience.
The Campus Climate Survey Task Force, a group of 20 faculty, staff and students, reviewed the survey results from June through October. The task force issued a report Monday summarizing the survey and offering recommendations for improving campus climate.
