The Underground Dance Party

University of California, Riverside

What is the Underground?

Annual Diversity ProgramPromote gender expression and LGBT related issuesCombination of Drag Show, Drag Competition and Dance PartyFundraiser for a charitable organization related to LGBT issues Passive Program posted prior to event with information relevant to gender and LGBT issues

Desired Learning Outcomes

Increase knowledge about issues regarding history of drag and LGBT community

Understand and appreciate difference by exposing students to a different culture

Promote civic engagement by providing opportunities for charitable giving

Promote building community through face to face interactions

Literature Review/Relevant Theories

Bowen & Bourgeois (2001) found as awareness of LGBT issues increases, students develop more positive attitudes and behavior towards LGBT people

Research Questions

Are the goals of the program clearly visible and understood my residents?

What do residents who attend learn and do they find this information valuable?

Does the program encompass all four aspects of the UCR Housing Programming Model : to be intentional, inclusive, build community and support learning?

Method

Web based survey based on learning outcomes of the program

Included questions regarding Underground event and passive program

Included 3 open ended questions about learning, purpose and improvement of The Underground

Emailed to 303 students who attended

Results

49 students returned survey, 16%66% freshman, 8% sophomores, 16% juniors, 10% seniors65% women, 33% men, 2% declined to state75% straight, 12% bisexual, 6% gay, 4% declined to state, 2% pansexual39% Asian/Pacific Islander, 21% Chicano/Latino, 16% Black/African American, 6% Biracial/Multiracial, 2% Asian Indian, 2% Native American

Reasons for Attending

Opportunity to Dance 69%

Friends attending 67%

Drag Show 49%

Drag Competition 39%

Laser Show 20%

Support Gay Community 2%

Work 2%

Student Satisfaction

Based on a 5 point likert scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree

Drag Show (4.0)

Event Staff (3.9)

Registration (3.8)

Laser Show (3.7)

Disc Jockey (3.2)

Underground Learning Outcomes

Underground Dance Party Learning Outcomes

StatementStrongly

Disagree Disagree Neutral AgreeStrongly

Agree Avg. Total

More informed about LGBT issues 4% 12% 39% 35% 10% 3.3 49

More informed about gender identity issues 6% 6% 31% 45% 12% 3.5 49

More informed about Jeffrey Owen's Center 22% 18% 33% 20% 6% 2.7 49

Felt comfortable participating 4% 8% 20% 29% 39% 3.9 49

Feel more comfortable expressing myself 6% 6% 29% 35% 24% 3.7 49

More open to different viewpoints 4% 2% 22% 39% 33% 3.9 49

Feel closer to my peers 4% 2% 31% 47% 16% 3.7 49

Feel what I learned is valuable 4% 6% 29% 33% 29% 3.8 49

Average %: 6.9% 7.7% 29.1% 35.2% 21.2%    

Passive Program Learning Outcomes

Passive Program Learning Outcome Statements

StatementDid Not

Attend Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral AgreeStrongly

AgreeAvg

.Tota

l

More informed about history of Drag N/A 2% 10% 38% 36% 14% 3 49

More informed about LGBT issues N/A 2% 14% 32% 36% 16% 3.1 49

More informed about gender identity issues N/A 5% 11% 30% 39% 16% 3.1 49

Average %: 11.6% 2.7% 10.2% 29.3% 32.7% 13.6%    

Student Responses to Open-Ended Questions

Other Learning Outcomes Students IdentifiedThemes ResponsesAcceptance of Others 5Awareness of Drag 2Family support 1More respect for LGBT community 1

Total 9

The Purpose of UndergroundThemes ResponsesDiversity Education/Awareness 10To have fun 9Promote LGBT issues 9Awareness of Gender Issues 3

Total 31

Suggestions for Improvement of UndergroundThemes ResponsesBetter DJ 15Drag Performers Touching Students 3More attendance 3Drag Show on Stages 2Ending Late 1Change theme to underground artists not LGBT 1

Total 25

Implications for Practice

Make students aware of interaction with performers to create a comfortable environment (have section for students okay with participating)

Increase awareness about charitable organization

Continue passive program and involve all residence halls

Provide a better DJ