Exclusionary behaviors, including offensive and hostile behaviors (such as bullying and harassment), are a common problem in universities worldwide. However, student perspectives regarding their experience with exclusion on campus, the cause and impact of such experience, as well as potential solutions are not well understood. We collected and analyzed quantitative and qualitative data in a campus-wide student survey at a U.S. predominantly white university to understand student perspectives.

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... ong 2511 survey respondents (response rate: 29%), almost one in five students (19%) experienced isolation, intimidation, or harassment in the recent 12 months. Students of color experienced more exclusion than white students (26% among students of color and 15% among whites, X 2 =37.8, p<0.01). Students who identified with non-binary (e.g., transgender) or other gender identities were more likely to experience exclusion than male/female (47% vs. 18%, X 2 =21.4, p<0.01). A range of bases for exclusionary behaviors was identified, including race, political views, physical characteristics, age, and socioeconomic status. Although very few students reported these incidents they experienced to the campus authorities, such experience had a significant negative impact on the student's perception of their life on campus and of the campus climate. The student-suggested action areas included policy enforcement, campus governance, diversity recruitment, cultural competence training, multi-cultural activities, as well as continuous assessment and open dialogues. Conclusion: In a 2018 university student survey, we identified a high prevalence (19%) of exclusionary behaviors with some gender and racial differences, the causes and impact, as well as action areas to address the issue.