Evaluating the Effects of Intergroup Interactions and Color-blind Racism on Perceptions of University Campus Cultural Climate

This study examines college students at a large, public university in the Northeast and their perception of the campus’s cultural climate. The online survey was completed by 362 students whose responses were used to answer the following research questions: “Does the frequency of interactions with people from other cultures affect one’s perception of campus cultural climate?” and “Is there a difference between people who experience color-blind racial attitudes and their perceptions of campus cultural climate compared to those who do not experience color-blind racial attitudes?” Results showed that frequency of interactions was significantly correlated with perceptions of acceptance, and color-blind racial attitudes were significant for all measures of campus cultural climate. Increased representation of minority groups and future research into types of interactions could be beneficial for non-white students’ academic success in secondary education