CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by Texas A&M University AN ASSESSMENT OF THE CAMPUS CLIMATE FOR GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER PERSONS AS PERCEIVED BY THE FACULTY, STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY A Dissertation by KERRY WAYNE NOACK Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY August 2004 Major Subject: Educational Administration ii AN ASSESSMENT OF THE CAMPUS CLIMATE FOR GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER PERSONS AS PERCEIVED BY THE FACULTY, STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY A Dissertation by KERRY WAYNE NOACK Submitted to Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved as to style and content by: _____________________________ _____________________________ D. Stanley Carpenter Kelli Peck-Parrott (Chair of Committee) (Member) _____________________________ _____________________________ Lisa O’Dell Ben D. Welch (Member) (Member) _____________________________ Jim Scheurich (Head of Department) August 2004 Major Subject: Educational Administration iii ABSTRACT An Assessment of the Campus Climate for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Persons as Perceived by the Faculty, Staff and Administration at Texas A&M University. (August 2004) Kerry Wayne Noack, B.G.S., West Texas State University; M.A., West Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. D. Stanley Carpenter The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the current campus climate for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons at Texas A&M University as perceived by the faculty, professional staff, and administration at the institution. Specifically, the study looked at differences in perceptions and behaviors based on university position, race/ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, age, and interaction with members of the sexual orientation minority. The population for the survey consisted of 5,863 individuals at Texas A&M University, including 513 administrators, 1,992 faculty members, and 3,358 professional staff members. Based on the work of Krejcie and Morgan, a random sample of each of the three employment categories was taken, which resulted in a sample of 1,020 individuals. The survey instrument used was the Assessment of Campus Climate for Underrepresented Groups, developed by Susan R. Rankin, Ph.D. A selected group of iv questions from the survey were analyzed in order to conduct this research. The usable response rate was 47.9%. Overall, the data supported the finding that the University does not provide a campus environment that is welcoming to all members of the community, especially those individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Several statistically significant differences were found to exist among the positions of the participants, as well as race/ethnicity, age, gender and sexual identity. The research also confirmed that an individual’s attitudes and behaviors toward gay men, lesbians, bisexual men and women or transgender persons were influenced in a positive manner in relation to the frequency of contact that the person had previously had with members of this population. When compared to the norms established by a similar study across the United States, Texas A&M University was found to have a more negative campus climate. Implications for practice suggest ways in which the university can work toward improving the campus climate for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students. Among the suggestions are the development of new policies that create a more supportive environment and new programs to serve the needs of the sexual orientation minority and to educate the campus community. Suggestions for future research are also discussed. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The completion of this dissertation is the result of the assistance of many special people. For their part in making the completion of this work possible, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the following people: To my chair, Stan Carpenter, and the members of my committee, Lisa O’Dell, Kelli Peck-Parrot and Ben Welch. Thank you for your encouragement, support, patience and suggestions. To my neighbor, Dr. Ranjita Misra for her assistance and advice with the statistical evaluation. To my colleagues at Measurement and Research Services for their support through the dissertation process. To Tissa Salter for her advisement and suggestions on the formatting and editing of the dissertation. Your input has been influential in the “finishing” of this dissertation. To the many friends and family members who have supported me throughout this endeavor, with a special thanks extended to those who helped with the “stuffing parties.” The encouragement from all of you throughout this process has been instrumental in its completion. To my parents, Leon and Junett Noack, who have always encouraged me to reach for my dreams and to pursue my educational and professional goals. Thank you for your love and support throughout the doctoral program. vi Finally, to my College Station core. A sincere thank you goes out to Dr. Eric Wilson for not giving up on me and for being the thorn in my side, and to Dr. Mary Sherwood, Marti Marberry, Ron George and Tracey Forman, who played the part of “formatting queen.” The unending love and support from each of you, and your willingness to stand by me and believe in me, has been more powerful than you will ever know. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...............................................................................................v TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................................vii LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................x CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY ..............................................................1 Statement of the Problem ...........................................................................4 Purpose of the Study ..................................................................................5 Research Questions ....................................................................................5 Operational Definitions..............................................................................6 Significance of the Study ...........................................................................7 Organization of the Dissertation ................................................................8 II REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE..................................................................9 Introduction ................................................................................................9 Campus Climate in Higher Education......................................................12 Role of Higher Education.........................................................................17 Current Climate for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Students ....................................................................................................20 Historical Perspective at Texas A&M University....................................23 Role of Faculty, Professional Staff, and Administration .........................29 Impact of Demographic Variables ...........................................................32 Gender ..........................................................................................32 Race..............................................................................................35 Age and Education .......................................................................38 Personal Interaction and Exposure...............................................41 University Position.......................................................................43 Summary ..................................................................................................44 viii CHAPTER Page III METHODOLOGY.........................................................................................46 Population.................................................................................................47 Survey Instrument ....................................................................................51 Data Collection.........................................................................................55 Data Analysis ...........................................................................................62 Research Questions ..................................................................................63 Research Question One ................................................................63 Research Question Two ...............................................................63 Research Question Three .............................................................64 Research Question Four ...............................................................64 IV RESULTS.......................................................................................................65 Demographic Characteristics of Respondents..........................................65 Research Question One ............................................................................72 Research Question Two ...........................................................................79