The Role of Religion and Institution Type in Seniors’ Perceptions of the Religious and Spiritual Campus Climate

Abstract

This study investigated the correlates of two measures that capture students’ perception of the religious and spiritual campus climate. It focuses on how the factors, religious identity and attending a religiously affiliated institution, influence students’ perception of the respect for their beliefs and comfort in expressing their views on campus. The results indicate few differences by religious identity in students’ perception of the respect for their beliefs, but significant differences by religion in their comfort in expressing their views. Additionally, attending a religiously affiliated institution was positively associated with students’ comfort in expressing their beliefs.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kevin Fosnacht

a

Kevin Fosnacht ([email protected]) is an associate research scientist at the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research and research analyst at the National Survey of Student Engagement. His research includes student engagement, how college impacts students, the role of money in students’ decision-making processes, and advanced quantitative methods.

Cynthia Broderick

b

Cynthia Broderick ([email protected]) is a Ph.D. candidate in the higher education program at Indiana University Bloomington. Her research interests include religious identity and campus climate, institutional mission engagement, and the history of Catholic higher education.