Environmental assessment, which involves examining the perceptions of people in a given environment or social climate (socially agreed upon norms for acceptable behaviors) is one method of placing behavior in context. The University of Maryland, College Park, conducted a student survey in order to examine the social climate through a study of…

This study examined the relationship between perceptions of diversity and overall satisfaction in students at the University of Maryland at College Park. An anonymous 100-item questionnaire on cultural attitudes and climate was mailed to first and third year students, with mail and phone call follow-ups resulting in an overall return rate of 60…

A study was conducted at the University of Maryland to determine how consistently students perform on examinations in a given class and whether it is possible to alter this relationship through the introduction of an intervening variable, such as a reinforcing and encouraging letter from the instructor. Letter grades and test scores were obtained…

Higher educational institutions in the United States have reported increased enrollment of international students in recent years. The Institute of International Education projects that, by 1990, on million international students may be attending colleges and universities in the United States. A study was conducted to determine the needs,…

The present study had as its purpose to determine incoming freshmen expectations of the University of Maryland. Two models of the College and University Environment Scales (CUES) were utilized in the study, and the data were analyzed to determine the relationship between CUES I and CUES II results, between 1969 and 1971 freshmen perceptions, and…

The interracial experiences, attitudes, and perceptions of minority students toward the University of Maryland, College Park, (UMCP) and its services were assessed. A random sample of 147 ethnic minority students (54 Asian, 54 Black, and 39 Hispanic undergraduates) responded to a 59-item questionnaire with a return rate of 77 percent. The data…

College officials often assume that college students of the 1980's are radically different from their counterparts in the 1960's and 1970's, but attitude change is rarely measured. To study perceptions of peer group attitudes over the past decade, the responses of 310 white, incoming University of Maryland freshmen were compared to those of 204…

If educators, counselors, and student personnel workers are to provide services to students which would be perceived positively by various racial groups, an understanding of interracial perceptions and attitudes is extremely important. A study was conducted to examine the current state of interracial attitudes among students at the University of…

Female university student and staff perceptions of rape at the University of Maryland were examined with the aid of an anonymous questionnaire on attitudes and perceptions of rape. A randomly selected sample group included 100 female students and 25 female classified employees. Results showed a 64% return rate was achieved despite many follow-up…

In 1970, a randomly selected sample of 101 residents of the community surrounding the University of Maryland, College Park, were surveyed to determine their perceptions of campus unrest, and their responses were compared to student perceptions of the same events. Study variables were liberal-conservative self-ratings of the residents, political…

Identifying the variables which influence student attitudes, perceptions, and behavior patterns in regard to religion, sex, and alcohol has been a major source of investigation. To determine the dimensions underlying the relationship among religion, sex, alcohol use, and alcohol knowledge among university students, 376 University of Maryland…

The responses of 15,357 undergraduates at the University of Maryland, College Park, to the University Student Census are summarized in this study. Results indicate students felt the hardest part of adjusting to college life is selecting a major field of study or career. The census also reported results concerning: part-time jobs; residence;…

Latinos and Asian Pacific Americans (APAs) are increasing in numbers throughout the United States. This study reports on a survey administered to 350 APA and 119 Latino American students entering a large east coast university. Significant differences between APA and Latino students emerged: (1) APA students were less likely than Latino students to…

A 79-item questionnaire was administered to a sample or 1,179 entering freshmen at the University of Maryland, College Park, in a survey of interracial differences. The sample was 86 percent white, 9 percent black, and 5 percent other minority groups (largely Hispanic and Asian American). White students were found to differ from minority students…

At the University of Maryland, 758 randomly selected incoming freshman students were administered an anonymous poll regarding their sexual attitudes and behavior. Results showed that the Maryland freshman generally resembled other U.S. college students in their sexual experience. Approximately half (52% of males, 46% of females) reported that they…