In the wake of the attack on 'Rajiv' on June 1, 2005: perceptions of international graduate student non-native English speakers on violence and racism at Texas A&M University

Abstract

In this thesis, results of an online survey and focus group interview sessions comprised of a total of 21 International Graduate Student Non-Native English Speakers (IGSNNES) at Texas A&M (TAMU) are summarized. IGSNNESs were interviewed in an effort to gauge their perceptions and experiences with racism and discrimination following a string of assaults on IGSNNESs that occurred in the area immediately surrounding the TAMU campus. This study was conducted in an attempt to reveal previously undisclosed incidents of discrimination against IGSNNESs. The results of this study indicated that several IGSNNESs at TAMU had experienced and heard about both violent and nonviolent incidents of discrimination which they had not reported. IGSNNESs in this study were not aware of the parameters that would define an act of discrimination as one worthy of reporting. IGSNNESs in this study were also unaware of the proper procedure for filing incident reports. This research is important not only to help ensure the safety and happiness of current IGSNNESs at TAMU, but also to help TAMU reach its Vision 2020 goal to become one of the top ten universities in the United States by the year 2020. The paper concludes with ten recommendations for improving the current campus climate and level of safety for IGSNNESs as well as the rest of the TAMU student population.