What Lies Beneath Seemingly Positive Campus Climate Results: Institutional Sexism, Racism, and Male Hostility Toward Equity Initiatives and Liberal Bias

Abstract

This article presents qualitative results from a campus climate study at one predominately white university. Data analysis uncovered “what lies beneath” a seemingly positive campus climate. Gender differences in survey responses suggest that men and women experienced the climate in vastly different ways. Additionally, lack of deep diversity dialogue, hostility toward diversity efforts, symbolic racism, resentment of liberal bias, and larger issues of institutional sexism emerged as prominent and interrelated themes.

Annemarie Vaccaro is an assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Rhode Island. Her research analyzes diversity and social justice issues in higher education through feminist and critical race perspectives.