An Investigation into Staff and Student Perceptions of Student Athletes

Student and Staff Perceptions towards Student-Athletes in College Environment

Introduction

This research paper relates to the larger research project I shall be completed in the course of my study period. The emphasis of this study is on university-resident staff approaches towards athlete students. Many at times student-athletes are subjected to negative bias and labelling on the university campus. A number of student-athletes have expressed displeasure and reported partial treatment by the faculty. Additionally, the students have to bear with the misconception of poor academic performance and the general view of being jokers. The student-athletes are viewed as receiving unique treatment in terms of financial and academic backing. All students face similar growth challenges either as student-athletes or non-athletes within the needs of joining their sport (Harrison, 2002). Stereotype and prejudice may complicate this growth and development (Wang & Redwood-Jones, 2001).

Prejudice is defined as the antipathy created on a faulty and rigid generalization. It could be communicated or sensed. It could be intended towards a group as whole or to specific individuals due to their membership to the group. Some scholars have defined prejudice similarly to be the negative evaluation of a group or members of the certain group based on features that could be perceived or real. Generally, it is not weird for individuals to rate others into groups according to their social identities (Wang & Redwood-Jones, 2001). The notion of particular features being requisites for particular group membership could bring a negative effect if it leads to stereotyping. Among the groups in university that is more vulnerable to prejudice and stereotype on the university campus is student-athletes. The attitudes include general sectors like unique treatment and academic capabilities including more particular subject like going on expensive holidays.

Statement of the Problem

Student-athletes are a set vulnerable to prejudice and stereotype in college. Numerous studies have indicated university students hold negative perceptions towards student-athletes.

The research has shown university-resident staff members to be the pillar for student-athletes, yet, there is no study has been undertaken regarding in-house staff attitudes towards student-athletes.

Purpose of the Study

The prospect for positive effects of staying in a residence hall at the university has undergone vast research. The effects range from an increase in the allocation of more time to personal growth. On the other hand, in-house staff members have a chance to create a positive growth impact for students who stay in the residence. The aim of this research study will be:

1. Evaluate the perceptions of university-resident staff towards student-athletes
2. Conclude whether there are differences in perception based on the initial athletic encounter of the university-resident staff respondents,
3. Establish whether there are disparities in perceptions towards white and black student-athletes.

Methodology

The scope of this research sample will involve college staff staying in college premises within universities across the United States of America. The respondents shall be required to fill forms of the situational attitude scale (SAS) online to review variances in perceptions towards student-athletes and students.

The situational attitude scale student-athlete (SAS_SA) created by Sedlacek and Engstrom (1996), this type of SAS is reliable having been used in previous research work on student perceptions, and faculty perceptions on student-athletes (Sedlacek E., 1996).

This research will employ the survey monkey an independent web organization to collect data when the collection of data is complete I shall analyze the data using the SPSS software.

Conclusion

This research will suggest a workable framework which could be employed by university management, sports administrators and sports managers in developing sports environments that meet the eight standard-setting features created by the national research council medical institute.