Conference

“Um, Diversity Definition? That’s Hard.”: College Student Perceptions of Diversity

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Abstract

After the civil rights movement, affirmative action drove diversity on college campuses. Yet, proponents and opponents of affirmative action saw that diversity for diversity’s sake was not enough to justify programs and policies at academic institutions. Our study at a large Midwestern research university utilized qualitative interviews and grounded, data centric methods to explore student perceptions of diversity. Soliciting student voices now is imperative because the US is at a cultural-crossroad where racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, gender, and dis/ability diversity are under political pressure. From these voices, we discovered an expansive definition, conflict over measurements, increasing knowledge of discrimination, reservations about protests, and a need for administrative, visible support. So, as college students represent changing cultural ideologies and society’s future leaders, seeking their perceptions of diversity, campus climates, and university initiatives on diversity is central to the improvement of communication about diversity on college campuses.