| Campus Truth Foundation and Public Agenda selected FDR Research, to develop a survey, to measure the level of tolerance at universities in the US. A pilot test was conducted at three universities, to serve as a template to be replicated across the country.*
Results were disturbing:
48% of all students surveyed said it was "very likely" or "somewhat likely" that a female could be the victim of a date rape on their campus. The results varied widely by school; 65% at Michigan State University, 40% at Berkeley and 39% at Columbia.
Sexual harassment is also an issue. 40% of all the respondents said it was "very likely" or "somewhat likely" that females would be sexually harassed on campus ( MSU 59%, Columbia 30%, Berkeley 30%.)
A total of 16% of the students believed that female students would be taken less seriously in the classroom. ( MSU 22%, Berkeley 15%, Columbia 11%.)
A total of 77 % reported their campus is open and accepting of GLBT students. (Columbia 87%, Berkeley 84%, MSU 62%)
However, when asked whether being GLBT would hurt a student’s chances of being elected student body president 34% said it would.
Also, 46% said they had seen graffiti or heard verbal insults directed at GLBT on their campus. (MSU 53%, Columbia 47%, Berkeley 38%)
*The pilot test was carried out in the spring and summer of 2007. The research at each university included background interviews, followed by focus groups with students and then, a survey online. Data on bias toward minorities and intellectual intimidation will follow shortly.
Click here for a report of the findings
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