"When You Don't Really Focus on It": Campus Climate for Social Class Diversity and Identity Awareness

Scholars and institution professionals alike think broadly about campus climate; yet, few have examined the climate for social class diversity (SCD) on campus, despite growing class divide in the United States. We examined climate for SCD and identity awareness through interviews with 31 diverse students about their interactions across class at a public research institution. Findings reveal nuances in students' perceptions of climate for interaction across social class, as well as norms and hidden pressures around social class that influence both academic and social interactions. A stilted climate for social class diversity, which normalizes social class nescience and homogeneity, accompanied students' own growing identity awareness and development; yet some students were uncomfortable revealing or discussing their own class identity. Findings reveal the opportunities campus professionals have to develop common language and values around social class to encourage both positive institutional climate for SCD and individual class identity awareness.