In the spring of 1997, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) surveyed 1,450 community college staff members (i.e. presidents, affirmative action officers, deans and diversity program coordinators) to understand the current campus climate in regards to race and ethnic relations and diversity programming. The major finding was that "most community college respondents considered their campuses to be harmonious"; that is, to be free from ethnic and racial bias, or where all people participate in campus life without fear. Following up on the 1997 study, practitioners provided recommendations for community colleges to work toward more positive race and ethnic relations and campus climates:

• Foster the participation of minority students in extra-curricular activities.

• Monitor the quality of classroom interaction between faculty and students.

• Be aware of the current and historical race relations in the surrounding community.

• Analyze socioeconomic class differences in addition to race and ethnic differences when comparing student experiences on campus.

• Promote diversity and minority representation at all levels of the institution.

• Establish or enhance multicultural centers on campus to bolster cross-cultural learning.

• Create faculty development "academies" that provide multicultural training while conferring scholastic distinction.

This information was reported in ED 430 597, titled "Campus Climate: Perceptions, Policies and Programs in Community Colleges." A full-text copy of this document may be obtained by contacting ERIC Document Reproduction Services (EDRS), 7420 Fullerton Road, Suite 110, Springfield, VA 22153-2852; or by calling (800) 443-ERIC.

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