Demystifying the Black Student Experience at UCLA Dr. La’Tonya Rease Miles Faculty In Resident, DeNeve CD

Overview explore the specific challenges facing Black students at UCLA discuss how to create and sustain meaningful dialogue about racial diversity relevant activities and programs for the African Diaspora theme community.

Who is black at UCLA?

2006 Senior Survey: Measures of Climate The majority of undergraduates are having diverse interactions at least occasionally –86% interacted with someone of a different race –79% had meaningful discussions about difference –64% agree that “discussions of controversial subjects are respectful” Diverse interactions tend to take place in social settings more frequently than formal events Notable patterns re: nature of diverse interactions African-American/Black students reported significantly lower satisfaction with student & campus life (78% vs %)

Nature of Diverse Interactions by Race/Ethnicity Interactions were at African Chicano/ least “Occasionally”: American Asian Latino White Meaningful/Honest 82% 77% 80% 79% Cautious/Guarded 38% 42% 37% 32% Tense/Somewhat Hostile 23% 15% 15% 13% Threatening/Insulting because of my Race or Ethnicity 31% 18% 22% 14% (5) (10) (17)

Differences in Attitudes about the Value of Diversity Vast majority of all groups (> 75%) value diversity Range of responses re: agreement with the statement “having a diverse student culture leads to greater tolerance”: –97% of Black or African American –89% of Hispanic or Latino –85% of White –78% of Asian/Pacific Islander

How well are things going with respect to racial/ethnic diversity at UCLA by Race

Is UCLA spending enough time & energy on diversity-related issues? * Distribution by race significantly differs (p<.01)

Campus climate "A growing body of evidence strongly suggests that UCLA is cheating on admissions“ (Groseclose 2008) One of three things must be happening. Black kids have either gotten extremely smart or extremely competitive in a way they weren’t five or six years ago, or there’s been a deliberate, carefully orchestrated effort by a lot of admissions people to conspire to increase those numbers, or they’ve found a proxy for race.” (Connerly 2007)

Group Differences in Comfort, Acceptance, & Engagement A greater proportion of Black or African American respondents reported that their race makes it difficult to: –Feel comfortable on campus (55%) –Express personal/controversial feelings & beliefs (47%) –Find campus activities they want to do (26%) –Find refuge when things go badly (26%)

Impact of Race on Academics Approximately ¾ of all respondents said that their race neither helps nor hinders their relationship with professors or their ability to earn good grades, however: –Black or African American respondents reported that their race makes it more difficult to be treated fairly (34%) or taken seriously (42%) by college professors –In contrast, approximately one in five White and Asian/Pacific Islander respondents reported that their race makes it easier to be taken seriously and treated fairly by faculty

Whose responsibility is it to improve campus climate with respect to racial/ethnic diversity? Percent Individual students35 Deans and administrators24 Student organizations17 Admissions officers16 Faculty/instructional staff5 Residence hall advisors2 Athletic coaches1 More White & Asian/PI students More Black & Latino/ Hispanic students More Black & Latino/ Hispanic students

African Diaspora Theme community How can this living-learning provide a safe space for Black/African students? How can it promote meaningful dialogue among all students?