Thesis
An institutional analysis of LGBT nondiscrimination policy adoption in U.S. universities
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2015
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/103748
Abstract
Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity remains a serious problem on college campuses in the United States. Current research is consistent in this finding, documents the problem well, and provides recommendations for educators and policymakers wishing to combat discrimination on campuses. These recommendations include the implementation of policies prohibiting LGBT discrimination against students, faculty, and staff. And although these policies have been shown to be effective in combating discrimination, little is known about the factors that lead to their implementation. Using institutional theory as a framework, this paper investigates the ways in which large universities in the United States respond to their external state environment when implementing sexual orientation and gender identity nondiscrimination policies in their institutions. Specifically, I utilize logistic regression models to examine the effects of state laws and policies supportive of LGBT equality and majority support for Democratic Party candidates on university's LGBT nondiscrimination policies. This thesis finds evidence to suggest that universities are strongly influenced both by state laws and policies governing LGBT rights and the dominant ideological environment in which universities operate. These results have implications for efforts aimed at improving protections for the LGBT community on college campuses and for future studies examining nondiscrimination policy implementation at universities.
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Details
- Title
- An institutional analysis of LGBT nondiscrimination policy adoption in U.S. universities
- Creators
- Jordan Karl Harder Rinehart
- Contributors
- Julie A. Kmec (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Sociology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525139101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis