An analysis of multiracial change efforts in student affairs

Student affairs divisions at colleges and universities across the nation are currently implementing a variety of programmatic responses to develop multiracial campus environments. The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the multiracial change efforts currently utilized by student affairs administrators. This study surveyed 225 Chief Student Affairs Officers (CSAOs) using a specially designed questionnaire which assessed the levels and types of multiracial change efforts utilized on individual campuses. A conceptual model, Multicultural Change Intervention Matrix (MCIM), based on the concepts of multicultural organization development (MCOD), provided a framework for codifying and understanding the range of activities that student affairs divisions currently use to address multiracial issues. A total of 126 questionnaires (56%) were returned. Over 70% of the respondents were from schools with 10,000 students or less. The range of multiracial interventions reported was 0-300. Nearly 60% of the respondents reported offering five or fewer multiracial interventions during the past two years. There were no significant differences found in the frequency of interventions across institutional size or region. Using the MCIM for analysis, student affairs divisions instituted an almost equal number of 1$\sp{\rm st}$- and 2$\sp{\rm nd}$-order changes targeted at both the individual and group level. However, student affairs practitioners attempted fewer 2$\sp{\rm nd}$-order than 1$\sp{\rm st}$-order change interventions targeted at the division level. Only six respondents utilized MCOD strategies as the basis of their multiracial change efforts. While additional work needs to be done with the underlying model (MCIM) and the questionnaire designed for this study, this research has provided an initial and important step in understanding the multiracial interventions currently utilized in student affairs. Gathering this type of information is crucial in order for student affairs administrators to make informed and effective decisions about what interventions will help create affirming and inclusive multiracial campus environments