Evolving identities: Survey changes over time

Abstract

Studies show there are differences in the college experience for students from underrepresented backgrounds, including non-heterosexual and gender variant students. These differences in experience are due in part to experiences of discrimination and negative campus climate for these students. This presentation will examine how a large-scale survey for students at colleges and universities was updated to include more inclusive items about gender identity and sexual orientation, and will explore the various identities described by students. Challenges for surveying, analyzing, and disseminating results will also be discussed. Finally, participants will learn about the engagement, perceptions of campus support, and satisfaction of students with varying gender identities and sexual orientations from a longitudinal, large-scale, multi-institution survey of students at four-year colleges and universities.