Studies Examine CWU Multicultural Climate

June 3, 2005

Contact: Djordje Popovic (509-963-1687/fax 509-963-3561/e-mail: popovicd@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Dr. Neal Bowen, Central Washington University psychology professor, will present the results of two complementary studies of the University's multicultural climate. Titled "Ethnic Identity and Color-Blind Racism at CWU: An Assessment of Campus Climate."

Bowen's free, public presentation, sponsored by the CWU diversity education center and president's diversity council, is scheduled for Wednesday, June 8, at 7 p.m. in Black Hall 151.

The studies were designed to provide a view of students' experience of the multicultural environment on the Ellensburg campus. They are based on research conducted by Bowen and his students during the past three years and first reported at the recent 2005 SOURCE (Symposium on University Research and Creative Expression).

The first, qualitative study presents the voices of students who participated in a series of focus groups exploring their perceptions of the campus climate. Those groups were arranged such that participants were either in homogenous groups with regard to self-identified ethnicity for both participants and facilitator; homogenous participants cross-matched with a facilitator from a different group; or mixed by ethnicity. All groups followed the same semi-structured protocol.

The second, quantitative study examines the intersection of ethnic identity development and perception of the campus environment. It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences between White students and those from all other ethnic groups represented in the sample (Latinos, Asians, African Americans and Native Americans), with Whites endorsing Color-Blind Racism more highly, and reporting a more positive and supportive campus community than students from the other groups.

Bowen's presentation will address this hypothesis; discuss perceptions of institutionalized racism at CWU and present specific results on student comfort levels interacting with various segments of the institution. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.

Bowen holds a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. He has an extensive background in multicultural counseling and cultural identity development, and has worked with refugees and immigrants in the U.S., Latin America and Africa.

For more information, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call (509) 963-1687, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-2143.