Enhancing minority‐white peer interactions

Abstract

During the 1960s and the 1970s, ethnic minorities enrolled on college campuses in large numbers. As a result, predominantly white institutions had to learn new ways of relating to these students. They had to redefine their services and curricula to respond to the minority students' learning needs. Those early minority-white relations were frequently awkward and uncertain, with neither minority nor white students fully aware of one another's needs. institutions were unsure of how to develop strategies for promoting minority-white relations. Almost three decades later, however, it is time to evaluate our progress. Have minority-white relations matured or regressed, and in what direction will they proceed in the years to come?This chapter discusses the past, present, and future conditions of minority-white relations on predominantly white college campuses. From this historical overview comes a rationale for promoting change in institutional strategies to improve interactions among white and minority students. Recommendations for future programs and services are outlined.