Date of Award

1-23-2002

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

First Advisor

Gerald Bass

Abstract

The purpose o f this study was to examine issues related to cultural diversity within higher education. Specifically, this study was directed at the system o f higher education o f the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA). The SDA Church is a worldwide religious denomination whose emphasis is on global mission. Under tire leadership of Ellen White (1827-1915), the Church has a history o f service to persons of color, and in recent years the Church adopted policies of support for cultural diversity'. Andrews University was chosen for this study because of its role as the flagship university o f the SDA Church. Because o f that status with the Church, it was considered important to identify the degree to which selected students perceived evidence o f diversity within the University. Five specific aspects o f campus life were considered: worship: faculty and curriculum; the arts; activities of student organizations; and other events and activities sponsored by the University. Within each of those categories, students were asked to indicate whether they agreed or disagreed that there was evidence o f cultural diversity. The population for this study consisted o f the 355 students who indicated their ethnic status as "African American/Black" on the University's enrollment forms. The survey instrument developed for this study was completed by 79 o f those students. The subjects responded to 4 items focused on demographics. 24 items that were designed to identify their perceptions regarding evidence of diversity at Andrews University, and 2 open-ended items focused on evidence o f diversity at the institution and on recommendations for improving the climate of diversity.The students disagreed with statements that there was evidence of diversity in worship at Andrews University. They also disagreed with statements that there was evidence o f diversity in the activities o f student organizations at that institution. The data analysis revealed that there were differences in perceptions among the students according to their ethnic heritage, as defined by the birth countries o f their mothers. Students of U.S. heritage were more likely to indicate disagreement with statements that there was evidence o f diversity in various aspects o f life at Andrews than were their peers who were of non-U.S. heritage.

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