Robin L. Whitmore’s research while affiliated with University of California, Davis and other places

Sexual harassment at the University of California Davis was studied to provide information for campus officials. Attention was directed to: campus attitudes about sexual harassment; the incidence of sexual harassment among survey respondents; the circumstances and characteristics of sexual harassment incidents; the effects of sexual harassment on victims; and the campus resources used by, or needed for, victims. A total of 1,399 students and employees responded to the questionnaire. Some respondents defined sexual harassment more broadly than did the university. A majority of men respondents and a third of women respondents were uncertain whether sexual harassment occurred at the university, yet most perceived it as a campus problem. Women respondents were more aware than men of sexual harassment, and less likely to attribute it to sexual drive, human nature, or a misunderstanding. About 20 percent of faculty and staff, 17 percent of graduate/professional students, and 7 percent of undergraduate women respondents had been sexually harassed at the university. In 71 percent of the cases of sexual harassment, the harassor was in a higher status position than the victim; in half the cases he held direct authority over the victim. Questionnaires are appended. (SW)

In May 1980, the 1973-1979 minority graduates of the University California at Davis were surveyed about their employment, graduate and professional school training, career progress, and university experiences. The response rate was 33.7 percent. Minority groups included were American Indian, black, Chicano, Latino, and Filipino. Most had taken graduate level coursework, and felt well-prepared by undergraduate work. American Indians were most likely to have undertaken graduate work, be currently enrolled, and be full-time students. Eighty-three percent of the respondents were currently employed, most full-time, and in a broad range of occupations. Fifty-three percent felt their occupations were highly or moderately related to college major, with Filipinos most likely to feel them highly related. Median annual salary of full-time workers was $16,500. Job satisfaction was generally high. Respondents also reported on their feelings of personal, intellectual, and social growth as a result of their college experiences. In each area, respondents reported that the university contributed very much or somewhat to their growth. Over three-quarters would definitely or probably choose to attend the university again if they could start college over. Filipinos were least likely to choose the same university again. Attitudes toward choosing the university again were related to feelings about preparation for current occupations. Comparisons with a similar survey of all graduates from 1973 to 1979 show great similarities between the groups. Results of both surveys are illustrated in tables and graphs. The survey instrument is appended. (MSE)