In the News

Survey to measure race & immigration opinions

August 10, 2006

Area residents' attitudes on race and immigration will be measured in a survey this month sponsored by the Diversity Council.

As soon as today and Friday, some 2,000 Olmsted County residents will receive surveys in their mailboxes. Survey recipients were selected at random. Their answers will be the basis for the first county-wide survey of this kind since 1990, when the Diversity Council was formed.

The survey, being conducted by Charlotte Kunkel, an associate professor of sociology at Luther College, and a research assistant, is modeled on the 1990 survey. The survey questions also are designed for responses that could be compared to race and immigration surveys conducted in the Twin Cities and Detroit in recent years.

Survey forms are to be returned by Sept. 1. Responses are anonymous. Results will be released to the public by next spring.

In addition to the formal survey, the Diversity Council will host a questionnaire on its Web site, www.diversitycouncil.org, for people who want to share their opinions on matters of diversity. (Results from the online questionnaire will not be compiled with results from the formal survey.)

Participants in both the mailed and online survey will be asked whether they would be willing to be interviewed or participate in focus groups that will carry on discussing matters of interest raised in the survey findings. The discussion groups "will help us drill a little deeper" into the meaning of the survey results, said Kristin Mannix, associate director of the Diversity Council.

The final report of the 1990 Diversity Council survey is available on the Web at www.diversitycouncil.org.

© 2006 Post Bulletin. Used by permission.

1130 1/2 7th St NW, Suite 204 , Rochester, MN 55901 · Tel: 507.282.9951 · Fax: 507.282.9964 · info@diversitycouncil.org

Diversity...It's all about respect.