Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Jewish student groups are lacking in most US higher education institutions.
Categories: US Education News
Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Jewish student groups in most US higher education institutions are underrepresented in most higher education institutions across the United States, according to a new peer-reviewed study by The Conversation. lack of religious groups. The study involved religious student groups at 1,953 four-year nonprofit colleges and universities in the United States. Data revealed that there are Muslim student groups at only 28 percent of US universities, Jewish student groups at 25 percent of institutions, while Buddhist and Hindu student groups are represented at only 5 percent of institutions. The findings further show that 66 percent of US higher education institutions lack any religious student group. Some 40 percent of public colleges and universities and 27 percent of private Christian colleges and universities have minority student groups. A survey conducted by North Carolina State University (NCSU), Ohio State University (OSU) and the non-profit program Interfaith Youth Corps (IFYC) revealed thousands of students attending four years of college on more than 120 campuses. 58 percent of students in their fourth year of college said their university was "somewhat" welcoming. These students were surveyed in fall 2015, at the end of their first year in spring 2016, and again at the end of their fourth year of college in 2019. Moreover, a report named “Campus Climate Report 2019-2020: Islamophobia on College Campuses and its Impact on Muslim Students” which involved 570 Muslim students at more than 60 institutions across the state of California, including public and private universities, found that 40 percent of Muslims enrolled in a college in California have been facing harassment and discrimination due to their religious views. 74 percent of Muslim students who took part in the survey said that their institution did not manage to make statements, live or deal with policy issues affecting their community. Meanwhile, 30 percent of students claimed they experienced discrimination and persecution after advocating for the Islamic religion.