On the Basis of…

This study examines complex relationships between sex, race and overtly harassing or discriminatory experiences within an ethnically diverse university population. A stratified random sample of students (N = 926) at a large western state university were surveyed about their experiences of “protected class” forms of discrimination in the previous year. Findings indicate that despite the racial diversity of the student population at the university, problems with racism were extensive, as were problems of sexism and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Nearly one in five students had been called names or insulted because of their race, and six percent of the male students had been physically threatened or attacked by a peer because of their race. Experiences of racial harassment were most pronounced among ethnic minorities that are also economically disadvantaged in the state. As many as 60% of lesbian, gay and bisexual students reported experiencing various incidents of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Probalams of sexual harassment were also extensive, with high numbers of women reporting a variety of harassing experiences. Co-victimization rates were also assessed-the dramatic numbers of students who report knowing of the victimization of others suggests thats campus climate may be dramatically affected by these offenses. Effects and reactions to 198 “greatest impact” incidents confirm that experiences of reacism are gendered-perpetrated as sexual harassment and sex discrimination against woman and as physical intimidation and assaults against men within this population.