The entire report in Acrobat PDF format.
The harassment of gay, lesbian and bisexual (GLB) students was studied at UC Santa Cruz. Students were sampled to assess their attitudes and behaviors toward GLB people. A non-random survey on the site, frequency, and type of harassment was distributed to GLB students. Fifteen percent of the students identified themselves as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. These students were less comfortable than heterosexual students, but were not socially isolated. One-fourth of GLB students reported some form of academic discrimination and one-fifth had concealed their sexual orientation to avoid harassment. Freshpersons were more homophobic than more advanced students and males were more homophobic than women. Students who had attended workshops or courses on GLB issues were less homophobic than those who had not.
Creating and preserving a campus atmosphere that offers equal learning opportunities for all students is one of the primary responsibilities of the university. University policies have been developed to assist individuals from groups who, in the past, have been systematically denied access to education. Several groups (e.g., women and ethnic minorities) have been specifically targeted for special attention in university equal rights policies. In addition to receiving special advising, counseling, academic and financial support, the University is bound by law to make every effort to eliminate any organizational or personal forms of discrimination.
Gay, lesbian and bisexual (GLB) students have also been a target of discrimination and are often cited in university equal rights statements. The policy at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), states in part:
Students, faculty, administrators, and staff who are perceived to be gay, lesbian, or bisexual are to be free from harassment or legally impermissible, arbitrary, or unreasonable discrimination related to their sexual/affectional orientation. The strength of the campus community lies in its open dialogue between persons and groups of differing views. No one is asked to personally embrace a particular identity; what is asked is a thoughtful and reasoned approach to differences. Therefore, the practice or display of legally impermissible, arbitrary, or unreasonable discriminatory practices against any person or group based on sexual/affectional orientation is prohibited ... and will not be tolerated on the UCSC campus.
Providing student organizational and counseling support may not be sufficient to ensure that the campus provides equal support and protection for GLB students. Although these services may exist and may be successful, they may do little to alter an atmosphere of suspicion and misunderstanding. The intent at UCSC is to promote and maintain an atmosphere where students of all sexual orientations can feel comfortable. This is a goal that goes beyond the minimum legal requirements stated in the University's policy statement.
The University began studying the academic and social climate for GLB students in 1986. At that time, the Student Union Assembly (SUA) passed a resolution calling for the Chancellor to "immediately form a committee to catalog and report to the SUA the needs and concerns of the gay community." The committee interviewed groups of students about GLB issues and published its report in 1987. As a result, the University created a permanent committee to address the needs of the GLB community.
This study was designed to provide quantitative information to the Chancellor and the Committee on Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Community Concerns on the nature, extent and effects of harassment of GLB students. The study assessed student knowledge about GLB-related issues, and documented students' attitudes and behaviors toward GLB students, faculty and staff. A copy of the complete report may be obtained from the authors.
Authors:
Randall Nelson, Associate Director of Analysis, Analysis and Planning, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, Phone: (408) 459-2446; and Harley Baker, Senior Analyst, Analysis and Planning, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, Phone: (408) 459-2446.
Presented at the annual conference of the Association for Institutional Research May, 1990 Louisville, Kentucky