Choose or Be Rendered Invisible? Reconceptualizing the Multiracial Student Experience Through Institutional Culture

• In Event: 63.087 - Sheraton Roundtable Session 11 - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 63.087-3 - (In)Equity in Student Access and Experiences Across Institutional Types

Abstract

This paper contends that the old model of monoracial learning communities may be ripe for reevaluation. As this qualitative case study of 15 students at a state university in California demonstrates, colleges and universities lack critical resources for students who identify with more than one race. This lack of resources leaves students feeling invalidated and unable to establish social belonging on their campuses. Moreover, institutions have perpetuated an alienating climate through housing that is based on monoracial identity and the collection of demographic data that essentializes individual diversity. Hence, the primary objective of this paper is to draw upon empirical data from multiracial students to propose a more comprehensive response based on an institutional culture framework.

Authors

• Gabrielle Danis, California State University - Northridge

• Michael Lanford, University of North Georgia