LGBT Campus Climate Analysis of the University of Alabama at Birmingham

LGBT Campus Climate Analysis of the University of Alabama at Birmingham PDF Author: Steven Romeo
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : College environment
Languages : en
Pages : 64

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Book Description
Upon entering college, students that identify as LGBTQQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning] often search for schools that are accepting and have a good or positive campus climate for that identity group. This problem of safety and security for LGBTQQ people is not just restricted to college campuses, it is a daily struggle that effects the society at large. The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the current campus climate at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. To do this, a survey was conducted, then an evaluation of current policies, and the completion of the Campus Pride Campus Climate Index. The use of all three tools will show the beginning pictures of what the campus climate is for LGBTQQ identified students, faculty, and staff. The implications of this work are far reaching. It will allow the university to begin to identify areas of improvement, and allow other researchers some pilot data to base their justifications off of.

LGBT Campus Climate Analysis of the University of Alabama at Birmingham

LGBT Campus Climate Analysis of the University of Alabama at Birmingham PDF Author: Steven Romeo
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : College environment
Languages : en
Pages : 64

Get Book Here

Book Description
Upon entering college, students that identify as LGBTQQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning] often search for schools that are accepting and have a good or positive campus climate for that identity group. This problem of safety and security for LGBTQQ people is not just restricted to college campuses, it is a daily struggle that effects the society at large. The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the current campus climate at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. To do this, a survey was conducted, then an evaluation of current policies, and the completion of the Campus Pride Campus Climate Index. The use of all three tools will show the beginning pictures of what the campus climate is for LGBTQQ identified students, faculty, and staff. The implications of this work are far reaching. It will allow the university to begin to identify areas of improvement, and allow other researchers some pilot data to base their justifications off of.

Evaluating Campus Climate at US Research Universities

Evaluating Campus Climate at US Research Universities PDF Author: Krista M. Soria
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319948369
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 495

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Book Description
This book examines campus climate data collected from undergraduates at several large, public research universities across the nation to enhance understanding of the long-term impact of campus climate on student success. Many universities have refocused their attention and energy on campus climate, defined in this volume as students’ perceptions of how welcoming and respectful their campus environments are for students from different social identities. As structural diversity continues to grow more complex on college campuses around the nation, campus leaders have begun to take more steps to understand campus climate and address persistent inequalities, acts of discrimination, and violence against students from diverse backgrounds. The authors in this volume address initiatives to improve campus climate and provide empirical evidence on the effectiveness of those programs.

Campus Climate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Undergraduate Students at the University of Missouri

Campus Climate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Undergraduate Students at the University of Missouri PDF Author: Garrett Drew Hoffman
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic Dissertations
Languages : en
Pages : 94

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Book Description
The University of Missouri has been engaging in ongoing campus climate research since 2001. Previous studies have revealed that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students perceive the campus climate as more hostile and experience more harassment than any other identity group. This case study explores further, utilizing qualitative methods, the perceptions of the campus climate at the University of Missouri by LGBTQ-identified undergraduate students as well as the unmet needs of this population. Five broad themes emerged from the data including (a) discrimination, (b) intersecting identities that influence the perception of discrimination, (c) (dis)comfort, (d) support, and (e) suggestions for improvement. Data analysis shows that while the LGBTQ undergraduate population does experience high levels of harassment and discrimination, these students have created their own supportive communities and networks utilizing existing on and off campus resources. Recommendations for campus improvement are included.

A Critical Look at Campus Climate After Institutional Changes

A Critical Look at Campus Climate After Institutional Changes PDF Author: Marianne Ayers
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 74

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Book Description
ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of institutional changes on campus climate. Conditions continue to be problematic for LGBTQ students, faculty and staff on college and university campuses, so many institutions are taking active steps to improve climate. There is a void in the literature exploring the impact of change to the perception of campus climate through institutional programming, and this study contributes to that research. Through this study, I examine how recent policy and program changes impact the LGBT campus climate at a large public institution located within a relatively hostile geographic environment. To evaluate potential shifts in campus climate, I conducted in depth interviews of 15 LGBT identified faculty, staff and students who were present before and after institutional changes were implemented. Respondents noted positive changes in campus climate over the last four years, but also stressed that homophobia and homophobic incidences continue to occur despite the improvements in climate. Respondents mentioned several institutional changes as evidence of the university's commitment to support the LGBT community such as the establishment of the LGBT Resource Office, Queer Counseling group, and supportive leadership. I hope to contribute to the literature on LGBT issues in higher education by addressing the degree to which changes in institutional procedures and programs made by administrators can actually influence perceptions of campus climate.

Assessment and Analysis of Campus Climate for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Students at the University of Massachusetts Lowell

Assessment and Analysis of Campus Climate for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Students at the University of Massachusetts Lowell PDF Author: Lisa A. Craig
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bisexual college students
Languages : en
Pages : 120

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Book Description


Seeking Safe Spaces

Seeking Safe Spaces PDF Author: Billy J. Hensley
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 239

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Book Description
This study examined the methods and markers queer students use to evaluate a university climate as an outsider during the admission process as well as the means they use to become a member of a particular campus community. The multifaceted results of this dissertation highlight students' exploration of the complex notion of safety as a method of interpersonal discovery as well as a process for choosing specific campus spaces. Particularly, the time these students spent choosing a college, as well as the time they spent in relationship with the college campus climate, demonstrated the significant social and psychological impact a campus has upon the students that enroll. The findings of this study highlight particular assertions that demonstrate: that students construct means for feeling safe to hide, explore, and express their sexual orientation on campus; that LGBTQ students often keep part of their authentic selves out of relationships in order to retain the relationships that are available to them; and an emergent discussion that highlights that the inability to find self and be authentic in the classroom has significant impacts on learning. By using qualitative and action research methods, this study was able to highlight queer students' subjective characterizations of safety and how it allowed them a broad range of possibilities-from an environment's ability to encourage a student to hide their sexuality to the opposite extreme that allows for an open exploration of sexuality. This research also emphasizes the impact made on student learning, social development, and relational competence. Specifically, for students to experience the full and broad impact of the college campus, there must be a two-way expression of thoughts and feelings where everyone's experience is broadened and deepened. This work also demonstrates that while some students, despite a negative environment, do find resilience and relationships in certain spaces on campus, many students, due to the obstacles highlighted in this study, are unable to navigate the path toward finding positive, inclusive academic and campus connections. If students have spaces that are safe-where queer students are openly accepted-then they will not have to spend so much effort creating and finding safe spaces. The data presented in this study demonstrate the impact of safety not only on college choice but also on the ability to authentically integrate into a campus climate. The implications of this work underscore the power of, and need for, well thought out and inclusive space; fundamentally, safe spaces come about when they are designed by a broad range of LGBTQ students that fully represent inclusive voices-when people reexamine what they think we know about safety, they then find the means to construct safe space that serves all members of the community.

Campus Climate for LGBTQ Students

Campus Climate for LGBTQ Students PDF Author: Rick Brown
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : College students
Languages : en
Pages : 342

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Book Description
As institutions of higher education have become increasingly cognizant of the need to ensure a welcoming campus climate for all members of their student populations, they have begun to undertake campus climate studies to assess student experiences and perceptions. While the majority of studies have been quantitative in nature, in-depth qualitative studies have been conducted in recent years. These studies have started to provide institutions with opportunities to really hear and understand the experiences of their students. The purpose of this study was to hear and understand the reported experiences of LGBTQ college students with campus climate at a mid-sized Mid-Atlantic university, with the hope that the institution will be able to utilize the data to help ensure as welcome a campus climate as possible. Four themes emerged from the interviews with the students: “I choose to disclose my identity (ies);” “I refuse to be bound by gender binaries;” “Can’t I be LGBTQ and religious;” and, “The importance of a physical and a symbolic space.” Based upon the themes, other findings, and the students’ descriptions of their experiences, recommendations for best practices are offered.

The Impact of Campus Climate and the LGBT Student Union on the LGBTQQ Undergraduate Student Experience

The Impact of Campus Climate and the LGBT Student Union on the LGBTQQ Undergraduate Student Experience PDF Author: Dawn-Marie Tol
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 122

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An Examination of Campus Climate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Students

An Examination of Campus Climate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Students PDF Author: Robin Hochella
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The challenges facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students on college and university campuses are many. For example, LGBT students face harassment and discrimination at significantly higher levels than their heterosexual peers, and are twice as likely to receive derogatory remarks (Rankin, Weber, Blumenfeld, & Frazer, 2010). As the visibility of LGBT college students and the adversity they face has increased, there is ever more pressure on college and universities to evaluate whether LGBT students' needs are being met. A dependable method of determining this is to conduct an assessment of the campus climate for LGBT students. Campus climate can be consists of the mutually reinforcing relationship between the perceptions, attitudes, and expectations of both individuals and groups, as well as the actual patterns of interaction and behavior between individuals and groups (Cress, 2008). Thus, in order to assess a campus climate, one must determine the current perceptions, attitudes, and expectations that define the institution and its members. Campus climate has a significant impact upon students' academic progress and achievement and their level of satisfaction with their university. Whether or not a student feels as though they matter on their campus is largely a result of the climate. Evaluations of campus climate for LGBT students allow administrations to uncover what inequalities may exist on their campus, which is the first step toward being able to correct them. There have been many methods of improving campus climate that have been effective at a variety of colleges and universities. Administrations that wish to provide LGBT students on their campus with a better experience should invest in as many of these practices as possible. The most important action in improving campus climate is to institute an LGBT resource center or office with a full-time staff member and significant office space. Other impactful strategies include establishing a Safe Zone or Allies program, encouraging LGBT students to form organizations for themselves and their allies, increasing the amount of interaction between LGBT students and faculty - especially LGBT faculty, and establishing a Queer Studies academic program.

Perceptions of Climate and Engagement for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community College Students

Perceptions of Climate and Engagement for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community College Students PDF Author: Crystal R. Kiekel
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : College environment
Languages : en
Pages : 201

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Book Description
This qualitative case study examines LGBTQ community college student perceptions and experiences with campus climate and student engagement. The purpose of this case study is to examine the extent to which community colleges are able to support and engage LGBTQ students in a way that will lead them to college success. Using phenomenological and ethnographic traditions, the researcher conducted 15 semi-structured interviews, a focus group, and a document analysis at a single, large, urban community college to assess the strengths and needs of that institution. The researcher built a conceptual framework from student engagement and campus climate theories and analyzed data through the lens of that framework. The researcher found that the campus climate was relatively inclusive and affirming of LGBTQ students when compared to the surrounding community. However, students experienced a constant subtext of subtle forms of alienation, known as microaggressions, in several arenas of the college. The researcher identified factors that inhibited and supported further academic engagement for these participants. Based on that analysis, the researcher made recommendations to improve community college campus climate for LGBTQ students.