Cultural Attitudes
And Climate Survey - University of Maryland
at College Park
NOTE: This file contains both the
Survey Instrument
and the accompanying letter from the
President's Office
Letter from the President's Office
Dear Student:
The University of Maryland at College
Park continually explores ways to improve
its diversity and campus climate. We
like to know how well our students think
we are doing to promote diversity, especially
as it pertains to race and ethnicity.
In order to do this, from time to time,
we seek student assistance. You have
been chosen, as part of a random sample
of newer students (freshmen) and students
who have been on campus for several
years (juniors), to participate in our
survey. Please take 10 minutes to complete
the attached survey, "Cultural Attitudes
and Climate at UMCP." It is important
that you know your name will not be
associated with your response: therefore,
we ask that you do not include it on
the survey.
Your responses are very important to
us. To show our appreciation for taking
the time to share your opinion, we are
enclosing a ticket which will enter
you in a drawing for CASH PRIZES (one
$100 prize, two $50 prizes, five $20
prizes) or free movie passes.
To help us improve the racial and ethnic
climate at the University of Maryland
and to be entered into the drawing,
we ask that you:
Complete the enclosed survey by April
14. 1995 and return it in the postage-paid
pre-addressed envelope enclosed; and
Write your phone number on the raffle
ticket/postage-paid postcard (so we
can call you if you win a prize) and
mail it back separately.
Thank you very much for your cooperation
in this important survey.
Sincerely yours,
William E. Kirwan
President
Kerry Shahan
President SGA President
Main Administration Building
College Park, MD
20742
(301) 405-5803 FAX (311) 314-9560
Survey
Cultural Attitudes and Climate
at UMCP
This study examines attitudes and beliefs
about issues important to racial and
ethnic diversity at the University of
Maryland at College Park. Your honest
responses are very important in studying
these issues on the campus. All responses
are anonymous. Please return the completed
survey in the addressed, stamped envelope
by April 14th, 1995.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: Read each item
carefully and circle or check your response.
RACIAL AND ETHNIC CLIMATE
1. Please indicate to what degree you
agree with the following statements: STRONGLY DISAGREE: 1
DISAGREE: 2
NEUTRAL: 3
AGREE: 4
STRONGLY AGREE: 5
NOT APPLICABLE: NA a. My experiences since coming to
UMCP have led me to become more understanding
of racial/ethnic differences.
1 2 3 4 5 NA b. At UMCP getting to know people
with racial/ethnic backgrounds different
from my own has been easy.
1 2 3 4 5 NA c My social interactions on this campus
are largely confined to students of
my race/ethnicity.
1 2 3 4 5 NA d. At UMCP I feel there are expectations
about my academic performance because
of my race/ethnicity.
1 2 3 4 5 NA e. I feel pressured to participate
in ethnic activities at UMCP.
1 2 3 4 5 NA f. At UMCP I feel I need to minimize
various characteristics of my racial/ethnic
culture (e.g. language, dress) to be
able to fit in.
1 2 3 4 5 NA g. My experiences since coming to
UMCP have strengthened my own sense
of ethnic identity.
1 2 3 4 5 NA 2. Think about the faculty whose courses
you have taken at UMCP. How many of
them would you describe as: NONE: 1
FEW: 2
SOME: 3
MOST: 4
ALL: 5
NOT APPLICABLE: NA a. Approachable outside of the classroom?
1 2 3 4 5 NA b. Fair to all students regardless
of their racial or ethnic backgrounds?
1 2 3 4 5 NA 3. Think about your experiences in
the classroom Please indicate to what
degree you agree with the following
statements STRONGLY DISAGREE: 1
DISAGREE: 2
NEUTRAL: 3
AGREE: 4
STRONGLY AGREE: 5
NOT APPLICABLE: NA a. In my experience, students of different
racial/ethnic backgrounds participate
equally in classroom discussion and
learning.
1 2 3 4 5 NA b. I feel I am expected to represent
my race or ethnic group in discussions
in class.
1 2 3 4 5 NA c. Faculty use examples relevant to
people of my race/ethnic group in their
lectures.
1 2 3 4 5 NA d. In my classes I feel that my professors
ignore my comments or questions.
1 2 3 4 5 NA 4. Please indicate how comfortable
you feel in the following situations
at UMCP- VERY UNCOMFORTABLE: 1
UNCOMFORTABLE: 2
NEUTRAL: 3
COMFORTABLE: 4
VERY COMFORTABLE: 5
NOT APPLICABLE: NA a. Going to see a faculty member of
my own race/ethnicity.
1 2 3 4 5 NA b. Speaking with others about my racial/ethnic
background.
1 2 3 4 5 NA c Being in situations where I am the
only person of my racial/ethnic group.
1 2 3 4 5 NA d. Saying what I think about racial/ethnic
issues.
1 2 3 4 5 NA e. Being with people whose racial/ethnic
backgrounds are different from my own.
1 2 3 4 5 NA f. Participating in class.
1 2 3 4 5 NA g. Going to see a faculty member of
a different race/ethnicity than my own.
1 2 3 4 5 NA h. Being with people whose racial/ethnic
backgrounds are the same as my own.
1 2 3 4 5 NA B. HOW WELL IS UMCP DOING ON DIVERSITY? 1. The effort made by UMCP to improve
relations and understanding between
people of different racial/ethnic background
is:
Too little --
About right --
Too much --
Don't know -- 2. Please indicate to what degree
you agree with the following statements: STRONGLY DISAGREE: 1
DISAGREE: 2
NEUTRAL: 3
AGREE: 4
STRONGLY AGREE: 5
NOT APPLICABLE: NA a. UMCP has done a good job providing
programs and activities that promote
multicultural understanding.
1 2 3 4 5 NA b. At UMCP students are resentful
of others whose race/ethnicity is different
from their own.
1 2 3 4 5 NA c. UMCP should have a requirement
for graduation that students take at
least one course on the role of ethnicity
and race in society.
1 2 3 4 5 NA d. UMCP does not promote respect for
diversity.
1 2 3 4 5 NA e. The Diamondback's coverage of racial/ethnic
events and issues is balanced.
1 2 3 4 5 NA f. Diversity at UMCP was one of the
reasons why I chose to come here.
1 2 3 4 5 NA 3. Which racial/ethnic groups should
UMCP make special efforts to recruit
as students and as faculty? (please
check all that apply) a. Hispanic Americans
b. Native Americans
c Asian Americans
d. African Americans
e. None -- no special efforts should
be taken to recruit any particular racial/ethnic
group members C. GENERAL EXPERIENCE AT UMCP 1. Please indicate to what degree
you agree with the following statements: STRONGLY DISAGREE: 1
DISAGREE: 2
NEUTRAL: 3
AGREE: 4
STRONGLY AGREE: 5
NOT APPLICABLE: NA a. UMCP provides an environment for
the free and open expression of ideas
opinions and beliefs.
1 2 3 4 5 NA b. Overall my educational experience
at UMCP has been a rewarding one.
1 2 3 4 5 NA c The atmosphere in my classes does
not make me feel like I belong.
1 2 3 4 5 NA d. I would recommend UMCP to siblings
or friends as a good place to go to
college.
1 2 3 4 5 NA e. The overall quality of academic
programs at UMCP is excellent.
1 2 3 4 5 NA f. I feel as though I belong in the
UMCP campus community
1 2 3 4 5 NA D. YOUR EXPERIENCES AT UMCP 1. Please use the scale below to indicate
the extent to which you believe each
of the following is present at UMCP LITTLE OR NONE: 1
SOME: 2
QUITE A BIT: 3
A GREAT DEAL: 4
NOT APPLICABLE: NA a. racial conflict on campus
1 2 3 4 NA b. respect by faculty for students
of different racial and ethnic groups
1 2 3 4 NA c respect by students for other students
of different racial and ethnic groups
1 2 3 4 NA d. racial/ethnic separation on campus
1 2 3 4 NA e. university commitment to the success
of students of different racial and
ethnic groups
1 2 3 4 NA f. friendship between students of
different racial and ethnic groups
1 2 3 4 NA g. interracial tensions in the residence
halls
1 2 3 4 NA h. interracial tensions in the classroom
1 2 3 4 NA 2. How fairly do you believe you have
been treated by the following: VERY UNFAIRLY: 1
UNFAIRLY: 2
NEUTRAL: 3
FAIRLY: 4
VERY FAIRLY: 5
NO INTERACTION: NA a. university police
1 2 3 4 5 NA b. residence hall personnel
1 2 3 4 5 NA c faculty
1 2 3 4 5 NA d. teaching assistants
1 2 3 4 5 NA e. students
1 2 3 4 5 NA 3. In each of these settings to what
extent have you been exposed to information
about the history culture and/or social
issues of racial and ethnic groups other
than whites? NOT AT ALL: 1
A LITTLE: 2
SOME: 3
QUITE A BIT: 4
A GREAT DEAL: 5
NOT APPLICABLE: NA a. in course readings lectures and
discussions
1 2 3 4 5 NA b. in activities and programs in the
residence halls
1 2 3 4 5 NA c. in other university programs or
activities
1 2 3 4 5 NA d. in informal interactions and conversations
with friends
1 2 3 4 5 NA 4 At UMCP how many for-credit courses
have you taken from faculty members
of the following racial/ethnic groups? a. Hispanic Americans b. Native Americans c Asian Americans d. African Americans e. Not sure of race/ethnicity of faculty
member 5. How many courses have you taken
at UMCP that have focused primarily
on the culture history or social concerns
of: a. racial and ethnic groups (other
than whites) in the U.S.?
Number of Courses: b. non-Western racial and ethnic groups
outside the U.S.?
Number of Courses: 6. How often do you have difficulty
getting help or support from: NEVER: 1
SELDOM: 2
SOMETIMES: 3
OFTEN: 4
NOT APPLICABLE: NA a. faculty
1 2 3 4 NA b. students
1 2 3 4 NA c teaching assistants
1 2 3 4 NA 7. How often have you been exposed
to a racist atmosphere created by the
faculty? NEVER: 1
SELDOM: 2
SOMETIMES: 3
OFTEN: 4
NOT APPLICABLE: NA a. in the classroom
1 2 3 4 NA b. outside the classroom
1 2 3 4 NA 8. How often have you been exposed
to a racist atmosphere created by other
students? NEVER: 1
SELDOM: 2
SOMETIMES: 3
OFTEN: 4
NOT APPLICABLE: NA a. in the classroom
1 2 3 4 NA b. outside the classroom
1 2 3 4 NA 9. Please indicate whether your experience
at UMCP has changed your behavior in
any of the following ways: YES OR NO a. I now recognize culturally-biased
behavior I had not previously identified. b. I now discuss topics related to
cultural awareness with friends. c. I now stop myself from using language
that may be offensive to others. d. I now handle negative language
used by another in such a way as to
try to educate the other person. e. I now initiate contact with people
who are not of my culture or ethnic
background. E. DIVERSITY INITIATIVE PROGRAMS 1. Have you heard about the University
of Maryland Diversity Initiative?
Yes No 2. Have you attended or participated
in any programs sponsored by the Diversity
Initiative on campus this year? (These
programs include such titles as Diversity
Research Forum, Improving Communication
Between & Within Student Groups, and
International House Coffee Hour).
Yes No Don't Know 3. To what degree do you agree that
attending programs on diversity contributes
to the Diversity Initiative goal of
building community? STRONGLY DISAGREE
DISAGREE
NEUTRAL
AGREE
STRONGLY AGREE
NOT APPLICABLE F. YOUR INTENTIONS FOR THE FUTURE 1. Do you plan to return to UMCP next
semester (Summer or Fall 1995)?
Yes No Don't Know 2. If you do not return to UMCP do
you think you will transfer to another
college or university?
Yes No Don't Know Please indicate your current college. Agriculture
Health and Human Performance
Architecture
Human Ecology
Arts and Humanities
Journalism
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Letters and Sciences
Business and Management
Library and Information Sciences
Computer Math and Physical Sciences
Life Sciences
Education
School of Public Affairs
Engineering
Undergraduate Studies 6. Please indicate your cumulative
GPA at UMCP: 3.5 - 4.0
3.0 - 3.49
2.5 - 2.99
2.0 - 3.49
below 2.0 7 Please indicate your current place
of residence University residence hall?
Fraternity or Sorority house?
Off-campus rental housing/apartment?
Home of parents or relatives?
Own home?
Other (please specify)? 8. Please tell us what you think UMCP
could do differently to improve campus
climate with regard to diversity
Thank you very much for completing
this survey. Your efforts will help
the University of Maryland at College
Park in its efforts to provide a quality
education to an students.
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