Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-2001

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Political Science

Major Professor

Michael R. Fitzgerald

Committee Members

John G. Oeters, William Lyons, E. Grady Bogue

Abstract

This study represents an in-depth analysis of the experience of African American college students at six public institutions of higher education in Tennessee. Using a multiple coverage model, the research incorporates focus group research techniques, elite interviews, and more than 40,000 individual survey responses to explore the perceptions of enrolled students regarding the various programs, services and general environment of their institutions. The findings indicate that holding race constant, the majority of students were satisfied with their overall college experience. However, African American students rated their overall experience lower than their other race peers, with more than one-third of such students rating their experience negatively. Although most students do not perceive a campus climate of hostility towards individuals of color, they often feel neglected by their institutions. Minority students report that they do not have the same resources, support, or facilities as their other race peers. Although many institutions have minority student affairs offices, these entities are overworked, inadequately staffed, and incapable of meeting the needs of all students. Overall, most students seem to be open-minded about the issue of race, and the participants reported relatively few examples of overt racism. However, student perceptions of their institution's cultural and social environments differed significantly by race. African American students were more likely to feel alienated, isolated, and shut out from many of the opportunities available to their other race peers.

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