The Center for Policy Research and Strategy of the American Council on Education conducted a survey of college and university president to determine their views and to ask how they have reacted to recent campus protests regarding diversity and inclusion. To garner a larger response, the survey asked respondents to remain anonymous. The center has released a preliminary report on some of their findings with more data forthcoming.
Nearly one half of all presidents at four-year colleges and universities reported that there had been organized protests or events on diversity and inclusion at their campus. Where protests have occurred, 86 percent of the presidents said that they had met with students about their demands or concerns on more than one occasion.
More than one half of all four-year college or university presidents said that the racial climate on campus had become more of a priority over the past three years. Some 44 percent said that concerns about the racial climate on campus were about the same as was the case three years go.
Among presidents responding to the survey, 76 percent said they had instituted plans to increase diversity among students, faculty, and/or staff. More than 60 percent had implemented diversity training programs. Some 62 percent of colleges and universities had added resources for minority student support services. Nearly one half reported that they had changed some policies and procedures relating to the racial climate on campus.
The preliminary report, Racial Climate on Campus: A Survey of College Presidents, can be found here.
