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Seeking Safe Spaces: The Impact of Campus Climate on College Choice

Hensley, Billy J.

Abstract Details

2009, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Education : Educational Studies.

This study examined the methods and markers queer students use to evaluate a university climate as an outsider during the admission process as well as the means they use to become a member of a particular campus community. The multifaceted results of this dissertation highlight students' exploration of the complex notion of safety as a method of interpersonal discovery as well as a process for choosing specific campus spaces. Particularly, the time these students spent choosing a college, as well as the time they spent in relationship with the college campus climate, demonstrated the significant social and psychological impact a campus has upon the students that enroll. The findings of this study highlight particular assertions that demonstrate: that students construct means for feeling safe to hide, explore, and express their sexual orientation on campus; that LGBTQ students often keep part of their authentic selves out of relationships in order to retain the relationships that are available to them; and an emergent discussion that highlights that the inability to find self and be authentic in the classroom has significant impacts on learning.

By using qualitative and action research methods, this study was able to highlight queer students' subjective characterizations of safety and how it allowed them a broad range of possibilities–from an environment's ability to encourage a student to hide their sexuality to the opposite extreme that allows for an open exploration of sexuality. This research also emphasizes the impact made on student learning, social development, and relational competence. Specifically, for students to experience the full and broad impact of the college campus, there must be a two-way expression of thoughts and feelings where everyone's experience is broadened and deepened.

This work also demonstrates that while some students, despite a negative environment, do find resilience and relationships in certain spaces on campus, many students, due to the obstacles highlighted in this study, are unable to navigate the path toward finding positive, inclusive academic and campus connections. If students have spaces that are safe–where queer students are openly accepted–then they will not have to spend so much effort creating and finding safe spaces. The data presented in this study demonstrate the impact of safety not only on college choice but also on the ability to authentically integrate into a campus climate. The implications of this work underscore the power of, and need for, well thought out and inclusive space; fundamentally, safe spaces come about when they are designed by a broad range of LGBTQ students that fully represent inclusive voices–when people reexamine what they think we know about safety, they then find the means to construct safe space that serves all members of the community.

Miriam Raider-Roth, EdD (Committee Chair)
Mary Brydon-Miller, PhD (Committee Member)
Annette Hemmings, PhD (Committee Member)
James W. Koschoreck, PhD (Committee Member)
239 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hensley, B. J. (2009). Seeking Safe Spaces: The Impact of Campus Climate on College Choice [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1242669308

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hensley, Billy. Seeking Safe Spaces: The Impact of Campus Climate on College Choice. 2009. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1242669308.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hensley, Billy. "Seeking Safe Spaces: The Impact of Campus Climate on College Choice." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1242669308

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)