Anti-Semitism on Campus is Alive And Well

Hate crimes against Jews in America are on the rise, including on college campuses. In this article, the authors share details about their recent study, The Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey (IDEALS), which surveyed thousands of students at over 120 schools. The findings show that Jewish students are the least likely among their peers to view their campus environments as welcoming to people of diverse faiths.

Training Regimes and Diversity: Experiences of Young Foreign Employees in Japanese Headquarters

This article investigates the capacity of Japanese companies to integrate non-Japanese employees into headquarters in Japan, following recent initiatives to recruit significant numbers of foreign fresh graduates from universities in and outside of Japan. Grounding the research in the literature on diversity in workplaces and through an interview study with young foreign employees and representatives from human resource departments, this article argues that the nature of Japanese training regimes, mismatches in expectations between employees and employers and a denial of authenticity inhibit the successful integration of young foreign employees. Based on the Japanese case, we question in general terms the complementarity between diversity and inclusion and different kinds of training regimes. The article also points to the possibility that companies use diversity initiatives instrumentally to develop their existing core labour forces with a view to stabilize rather than fundamentally change the status quo.

Spatially Based Rules for Reducing Multiple–Race into Single–Race Data

There is a discord between the categorization of mixed–race data in spatial studies, which has become more complex as the mixed–race population increases. We offer an efficient, spatially based method for assigning mixed–race respondents into single–race categories. The present study examined diversity within 25 Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the United States to develop this racial bridging method. We identify prescriptions for each two–race category based on average diversity experiences and similarity scores derived from census tract data. The results show the following category assignments: (1) Black–Asians to Black, (2) White–others to White, (3) Asian–others to Asian, (4) White–Blacks to other, (5) White–Asians to White (if Asian >3.0 percent), (6) White–Asians to Asian (if Asian <3.0 percent), (7) Black–Asians to other (if Black >8.5 percent), and (8) Black–Asians to Black (if Black <8.5 percent). We argue that the proposed method is appropriate for all race–based studies using spatially relevant theoretical constructs such as segregation and gentrification.

The many faces of evangelicalism: Identifying subgroups using latent class analysis

The current study used latent class analysis to identify subgroups of collegiate Christian evangelicals and to compare them on a range of cross-sectional and longitudinal indicators of personal attitudes and campus climate. Items from the Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey (IDEALS) formed the basis of this study. We identified three subgroups who differed in terms of their appreciation of outside groups, knowledge of other groups, and ratings of campus climate. Our results provide insight into the evangelical experience in higher education and provide additional support for the argument that “evangelical” should be viewed as a heterogeneous population.

Worldview Climate and the International Student Experience: Internationalization Strategies Overlook Interfaith Necessities

Aim/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare domestic and international students’ experiences of the campus worldview climate. Background: Internationalization efforts have continued to increase and more institutions are codifying internationalization into their mission statements or strategic plans. However, most international students are coming to the United States from countries that do not share a Christian-based worldview and most campuses are already underprepared for their students to engage across worldviews. Methodology: To explore the experiences of international students with the campus worldview climate, we used data from the Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey (IDEALS) to examine differences between domestic and international students with regard to campus worldview climate perceptions, engagement in formal and informal interfaith opportunities, and changes in pluralism orientation during the first year of college. Contribution: This study advances our understanding of how international students perceive their campus worldview climates and how they engage in cross-worldview interactions. We offer these findings in hopes of providing an empirical roadmap for improving international students’ experiences with the worldview climate on campus, especially as internationalization strategies continue to grow and diversify our student populations. Findings: We found that international students do find their campuses less welcoming than their domestic peers. Additionally, international students reported engaging more often in formal cross-worldview interactions than their domestic peers. Recommendations for Practitioners: In light of these findings, we suggest three interfaith initiatives campuses can sponsor to better support their international students: 1) find a physical space for a multi-faith center and provide dedicated staff to support interfaith initiatives, 2) help faculty innovate their practice and the spaces they hold in the classroom to foster environments more inclusive of diverse worldviews, and 3) engage student affairs staff in reflection about their own worldviews and train them to create space for cross-worldview engagement among their students. Recommendation for Researchers: Our findings suggest that international students’ experiences of worldview climate differ from their domestic peers. Researchers should continue to explore worldview as a relevant component of the cross-cultural experience and design research that considers these divergent experiences. Impact on Society: Helping our students engage with diverse worldviews is imperative as part of higher education’s contribution to creating democratic societies across the globe. The results of this study point to ways administrators and campus leaders can align internationalization strategies with effective interfaith and worldview diversity practice. Future Research: Additional research efforts should focus on identifying components of the campus worldview climate international students are more likely to experience than their domestic peers. Also, researchers should consider how international students are exhibiting growth on outcomes like pluralism orientation in comparison to their domestic peers and how cross-worldview interactions affect this development.