Investigating the Role of a Racially Biased Incident on Changes in Culture and Climate Indicators across Targeted and Non-Targeted Groups.

This study explored the influences of a racially biased incident targeting Asian students at a compositionally diverse public research institution on the U.S. West coast after an unplanned incident that occurred during data collection of the Diverse Learning Environments survey. This occurrence created a unique opportunity to explore how 2 cohorts of students (before and after incident) respond to campus culture and climate indicators. General linear models (GLM) were utilized to take into account changes in overall perceptions of campus culture and climate among multiple racial groups. Specific attention was given to comparing students from the targeted group (Asian students) and nontargeted groups pre- and post-incident to gauge the direct and indirect effects on the broader campus community. Statistically significant differences in reports of negative cross-racial interactions and conversations across differences suggest unfavorable secondary effects of racially biased incidents on Black students' perceptions of climate. Results also revealed that indicators of campus culture appeared to be less affected by a single incident, whereas climate indicators were more malleable. Results highlight implications for institutional responses and future research to support targeted and nontargeted students of racially biased incidents.