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Interracial Interaction Among College
Students During Informal Leisure Time
The purpose of this research project conducted by Dr. Shinew was to gain
a greater understanding of how the University of Illinois can facilitate
positive interactions among people from different racial backgrounds and
ultimately improve race relations on campus. Funding was secured from
the Chancellor's Office and was used for a pilot study during the spring
semester of 2003. Students enrolled in a Discovery Course, titled Racial
and Gender Diversity in Leisure Behavior, were asked to develop a brief
survey that was distributed to students in classroom settings. A total
of 460 surveys were completed. The racial breakdown of the students who
completed the survey was as follows: African American (14.7%), Hispanic/Latino/Mexican
(6.8%), Asian (11.0%), Mixed-race (3.5%), White/Caucasian (61.8%), Other
(2.2%).
Several interesting findings should be highlighted. First, overall 56.5%
of the students indicated they felt that there was a race relations problem
on this campus, and this percentage increased substantially when the question
was broken down by race. Second, most students did not feel the campus
was actively trying to promote positive race relation, and many reported
that they viewed the campus as "somewhat racially segregated."
On a more positive note, most students indicated that they had several
close friends who were of another race, and many reported they have at
least some voluntary contact with students of different races. Most students
reported they primarily meet students of other races in the classroom,
and that this is a comfortable setting for the interaction to take place.
The majority of African American and Hispanic/Latino/Mexican students
felt the best thing the University could do to increase interracial contact
between students is to recruit more minority students, and many others
felt more activities that involve students of different races should be
planned, as well as requiring students to take a class on race relations.
Students were asked, "Do you think we have a race relations problem
on this campus?" and this was followed by, "Why?. Please explain
your response." Overall, a greater percentage of students indicated
we do have a race relations problem on campus. Many students indicated
that we have a racially segregated campus, and some reported there are
several campus organizations that serve only one race creating "closed
social scenes." Several students referred to the orientation classes
and indicated that "right at the start" the University segregates,
and this continues into classes, dorms, "hang-out" spots, the
Greek system, the Union, "Black homecoming," and "Black
graduation." Several students indicated racial minority students
make up a "small percentage" of the total enrollment, and that
more students of color are needed. Some students indicated that segregation
was due to ignorance and feeling uncomfortable around people of other
races and cultures, and that it was a matter of choice. One student indicated
that there "are places on campus where certain races cannot go"
and several referred to racially motivated attacks and fights on campus.
Among the students who reported we do not have a race relations problem,
many recognized that the campus is not racially integrated. Many acknowledged
"most students tend to stay with their own race" but they did
not consider this a problem. One student mentioned that "hate crimes
are a problem, but there are no relationship problems." A few students
indicated that their major is "predominately White" so they
are rarely around students of other races. A number of comments were made
about not being able to force racial integration, and one stated we should,
"stop worrying about race and just try and get along."
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