Black Student Perception on IU Mask Policy Enforcement and General Feelings of Safety on Campus

Abstract

Through a qualitative study, the researchers sought to understand the Black student perception of COVID-19 mask policy enforcement and general feelings of safety on campus at Indiana University-Bloomington. In doing so, the researchers sought to understand how to mitigate unnecessary harm and enhance the overall Black student experience on campus. The researchers sent out a demographics survey and conducted individual virtual interviews to gather student narratives. Each of the twelve interviews consisted of one participant and two researchers. The researchers proceeded to individually code each interview analyzing the deductive themes. The researchers then collectively discussed their findings and pulled inductive themes. The three deductive themes were experiences with microaggressions and general feelings of safety, mask enforcement policy, and support on campus. The two inductive themes were gender identity and the compounding racial and COVID struggle. The research concluded that overall, Black students’ feelings of safety on campus felt heightened throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and viewed the mask enforcement policy to be enforced unfairly between Black and White students. Based on the inductive themes, deductive themes, and conclusion, the researchers presented recommendations to campus partners.