Number of cases: 2,345
Response rate for module: 50.2%
Margin of error for module: ±1.4%
Reflective Essay
To understand better the significance of diversity at Berkeley we would like you to write about your personal experience with another student or students whose background was different than yours. By background we mean any significant dimension such as gender, race, religious beliefs, and so forth. Thinking back from when you entered Cal, select the experience, interaction, or friendship with another student or students of a different background from yours that has had the most significant impact on your own development or way of thinking.
1. First, for the experience you have selected, what is the most significant way or ways your background differed from the background of the other student or students?
| 232 (9.9%) Age |
| 132 (5.6%) Gender |
| 451 (19.2%) Social Class |
| 479 (20.4%) Nationality or Country of Origin |
| 273 (11.6%) Political Beliefs |
| 573 (24.4%) Race/Ethnicity |
| 416 (17.7%) Religious Beliefs |
| 126 (5.4%) Sexual Orientation |
| 142 (6.1%) Other, please specify: [Open-ended text field] |
2. Now please describe in some detail the nature of the experience or interaction and how it has affected you. Start by telling us when the experience or interaction took place.
[Open-ended textarea field]
3. In terms of your overall undergraduate experience at Cal, how would you rate this experience and other experiences with those from backgrounds different than your own?
| 481 (30.8%) Very important |
| 618 (39.6%) Important |
| 317 (20.3%) Somewhat important |
| 145 (9.3%) Not that important |
Organization/Structured Activities
4. Students at Cal sometimes belong to student groups or participate in structured activities that help promote diversity or the inclusion and success of those from backgrounds that are not well represented at Cal. Examples include student recruitment, tutoring, and community service or political action. Do you currently belong to any campus group or participate in any activities of this nature?
| 345 (19.8%) Yes, two or more groups/activities |
| 428 (24.5%) Yes, one group/activity |
| 972 (55.7%) No, not at the present time |
[If student belongs to two or more groups:]
Please briefly describe them. If you participate in more than two groups or activities, please select the two in which you participate the most.
[Responses to three open-ended questions each for first and second group.]
[If student belongs to one group:]
Please briefly describe it.
[Responses to three open-ended questions about group.]
[If student does not belong any group:]
Would you be interested in participating in such a group or activity in the future? (This is not a solicitation to participate. Your response will remain confidential.)
| 331 (34.6%) Yes |
| 209 (21.8%) No |
| 417 (43.6%) Not sure |
What kind of group or activity would interest you?
[Open-ended text field]
Campus Climate
5. Indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about Cal.
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Somewhat disagree | Somewhat agree | Agree | Strongly agree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I feel free to express my political beliefs on campus | 36 (2.0%) | 74 (4.1%) | 119 (6.7%) | 400 (22.4%) | 724 (40.6%) | 431 (24.2%) |
| I feel free to express my religious beliefs on campus | 35 (2.0%) | 53 (3.0%) | 121 (6.8%) | 438 (24.6%) | 733 (41.2%) | 397 (22.3%) |
| Students are respected here regardless of their economic or social class | 37 (2.1%) | 84 (4.7%) | 193 (10.8%) | 478 (26.8%) | 686 (38.5%) | 306 (17.2%) |
| Students are respected here regardless of their gender | 21 (1.2%) | 39 (2.2%) | 99 (5.6%) | 383 (21.5%) | 785 (44.1%) | 455 (25.5%) |
| Students are respected here regardless of their race or ethnicity | 42 (2.4%) | 84 (4.7%) | 174 (9.8%) | 485 (27.2%) | 671 (37.6%) | 328 (18.4%) |
| Students are respected here regardless of their religious beliefs | 39 (2.2%) | 62 (3.5%) | 186 (10.4%) | 490 (27.5%) | 689 (38.7%) | 314 (17.6%) |
| Students are respected here regardless of their political beliefs | 57 (3.2%) | 116 (6.5%) | 243 (13.7%) | 481 (27.0%) | 630 (35.4%) | 253 (14.2%) |
| Students are respected here regardless of their sexual orientation | 22 (1.2%) | 46 (2.6%) | 128 (7.2%) | 494 (27.8%) | 750 (42.3%) | 334 (18.8%) |
6. Finally, please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.
| Strongly disagree | Disagree | Somewhat disagree | Somewhat agree | Agree | Strongly agree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The campus administration seems committed to encouraging diversity and inclusion at Cal | 61 (3.4%) | 77 (4.3%) | 196 (11.0%) | 578 (32.5%) | 640 (36.0%) | 228 (12.8%) |
| In my experience, Berkeley faculty make an effort to relate to all students regardless of background | 32 (1.8%) | 76 (4.3%) | 184 (10.4%) | 530 (29.8%) | 687 (38.7%) | 268 (15.1%) |
| In my experience, Berkeley staff make an effort to relate to all students regardless of background | 28 (1.6%) | 59 (3.3%) | 169 (9.6%) | 593 (33.6%) | 686 (38.9%) | 229 (13.0%) |
| There is too much emphasis on diversity at Cal | 185 (10.4%) | 353 (19.8%) | 448 (25.1%) | 382 (21.4%) | 216 (12.1%) | 200 (11.2%) |
| All groups of students at Cal tend to be fairly represented in the ASUC (student government) | 174 (10.1%) | 255 (14.8%) | 396 (23.1%) | 561 (32.7%) | 285 (16.6%) | 47 (2.7%) |