The difficulties of African American students socially integrating into campus life at predominantly white institutions

Abstract

There is a unique difference in the college experience as perceived by White students when compared to minority students. This is especially true with African American students who attend Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). African American students at PWIs present more socialization problems than their White counterparts. White students report that they have more opportunities to form personal relationships than African American students. Additionally, African Americans at PWIs report more difficulty in the process of socially integrating when compared to African Americans at Historically Black Colleges/Universities. The domains that students cited as being most important to their integration into their universities were faculty, the campus climate, and the development of interpersonal peer relationships. African American students at PWIs experience greater hardships in each of these areas, than do their White counterparts. Suggestions for programmatic reform are put forth.