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Women, minorities at University of Michigan unsatisfied with campus climate

Posted at 3:46 PM, Nov 02, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-02 15:46:52-04

A report released by the University of Michigan showed that while the majority of students on campus are satisfied with the campus climate, the positive experiences are not equally distributed.

Members of traditionally marginalized groups across race, sex, sexual orientation, age, ability status and national origin experience the campus less positively than members of traditional minority groups.

The findings come from data from three sample surveys of 8,500 students, faculty and staff. 

"Although we know that many in our community recognize our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, this survey provides information that is critical in helping us to better serve members of the U-M family who have experienced our community more negatively," said university president Mark Schlissel. 

African-Americans on campus consistently report having the least positive experiences compared to any other social identity group on campus, the report says.

The report also says that African-Americans students are six times as likely as white students to have felt discrimination in the past year. 

20 percent of students reported at least one discriminatory event in the past year.

"It is...very clear that our campus is not a similarly positive place for all members of our community," Schlissel said. "We are not yet where we want - or need - to be as we strive for a more diverse, more equitable and more inclusive academic community."