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CU-Boulder 1998 Community Survey

Executive summary

Overview: The 1998 Community Survey indicates that students' experiences at the University of Colorado at Boulder are generally positive. Both white students and students of color report that they are satisfied with UCB, that they are comfortable in a variety of campus and community settings, that they would recommend the university to a friend (see graph (A)), and that they feel positive during their time at UCB.

At the same time, when students are asked more directly about issues of racial and ethnic diversity on campus, a substantial divide appears. African-American students report greater dissatisfaction with the university's efforts to welcome students of all racial groups, and less faith that the university community is truly committed to diversity. They are also more likely to advocate strong, active efforts to increase minority numbers and retention, support minority clubs and services, and crack down on overt discrimination. White students report that they believe too much emphasis is placed on diversity issues, particularly involving race and ethnicity, and that in general the university's multicultural efforts are excessive and alienating. White students tend to advocate a colorblind approach in which all students are treated equally and group differences are not highlighted. The other three groups surveyed-Asian Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans-fall between these two extremes, with responses varying according to the question asked. See graph (B)

Themes and issues: Students of color are particularly positive when evaluating experiences and feelings relevant for themselves, and are somewhat less positive in evaluations of the situation for their group as a whole. White students tend to be the most positive when evaluating experiences for their group, and Asian-American and Native American students tend to be the most positive when evaluating their own experiences and feelings. African Americans are least positive on nearly every measure, and report more stereotyping and prejudice from students, faculty, and community members. See graph (C)

Changes over time: Not much has changed since the survey was last administered in 1994. Students of all groups give substantially similar ratings of the university, their feelings on campus and in the community, their experiences with stereotyping and discrimination, and the degree of welcome they feel from various service organizations and groups. Asian-American students report feeling somewhat more positive in 1998 on several measures, while White students often report feeling more negative.

Group differences: As in 1994, African American students in 1998 show a much different pattern of responses from other group members. African American students generally report experiencing higher levels of stereotyping and prejudice, feeling less comfortable and welcome on campus and in Boulder, and generally experiencing a more negative time at CU-Boulder than do other groups. The pervasiveness and stability of this pattern indicates that this is a serious concern.

However, within the group of African American respondents there is not complete agreement on any of these issues. African Americans, more than any other group surveyed, display a great deal of variability in their responses. While some black students are having a very negative time at CU, at least as many others report very positive feelings and experiences. Further, while more black students indicate that they support more active diversity-promoting efforts, some do advocate a more colorblind approach or say that UCB should not do anything more to promote diversity. See graph (D)

(A)

(B)

University of Colorado at Boulder Community Survey
Fall 1998
Do you think the curriculum's emphasis on multiculturalism is...
* = Too little; - = About right; @ = Too much

                  |
Asian             |***********************-------------------------@@
                  |
Black/African Am  |********************************-----------------@
                  |
Hispanic          |*************************------------------------@
                  |
Native American   |**************---------------------------@@@@@@@@@
                  |
White             |*************------------------------@@@@@@@@@@@@@
                  |
                  -----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+
                       10   20   30   40   50   60   70   80   90  100
                                        Percentage

(C)

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(D)

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Table of Contents for 1998 Community Survey

jo - l:\ir\survey\comm\cm98\report\sectn1.doc
hm - last updated 5/31/2000

Last revision 07/23/02