Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 15, No. 1, 1998, page 46
Table 4
Probability of Future Cult Issues (N=414)
Question #Likelihood of: Percentage for Each Rating *
1 2 3 4 5
12. A student in your
residence hall system
being involved in a cult
in the next five years. .2 11.6 23.4 36.7 28.0
13. A member of your staff
being involved in a cult
in the next 5 years.
3.1 42.9 33.4 15.0 5.6
14. A student in your
residence hall system is
involved in a cult at this
time.
.7 17.4 35.1 26.4 20.3
15. A staff member is
involved in a cult at this
time.
8.2 47.5 32.7 6.8 4.8
*1 =Impossible 2 =Unlikely 3 =Unknown
4 =Likely 5 =Probable
Summary
The findings from this research show mixed concern. CHOs believe that cult activity on
campus will involve more students in the next 5 years. To be proactive and preventative in
educating and training staff, it is important to look at the perceived concerns of CHOs.
Residence halls leaders need to be prepared to deal with situations involving cults on
campus even though the current literature shows a lack of attention to the issues. In the
1970s and 1980s cult issues were addressed more frequently in the higher education
literature. If the aim of student affairs professionals is to support essential values and
provide values-centered leadership, the results of this study need to be strongly considered
(Dalton, 1993).
Future research might focus on the differences in private higher education versus public
higher education with regard to cult issues. It might also be interesting to survey other
levels of residence life staff regarding cults on campus. Hall directors and resident assistants
might have very different perceptions of cult activities on campus than do chief housing
officers.
References
Blimling, G.S. (1981). Cults, college students, and campus policies. NASPA Journal, 19, 2-
11.
Blimling, G.S. (1990). The involvement of college students in totalist groups: Causes,
concerns, legal issues, and policy considerations. Cultic Studies Journal, 7, 41-68.
Blimling, G.S. (1995). The resident assistant: Working with college students in residence
halls. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt.
Bowman, R. L., &Bowman, V. E. (1995). Academic courses to train resident assistants.
Journal of College Student Development, 36, 39-46.
Table 4
Probability of Future Cult Issues (N=414)
Question #Likelihood of: Percentage for Each Rating *
1 2 3 4 5
12. A student in your
residence hall system
being involved in a cult
in the next five years. .2 11.6 23.4 36.7 28.0
13. A member of your staff
being involved in a cult
in the next 5 years.
3.1 42.9 33.4 15.0 5.6
14. A student in your
residence hall system is
involved in a cult at this
time.
.7 17.4 35.1 26.4 20.3
15. A staff member is
involved in a cult at this
time.
8.2 47.5 32.7 6.8 4.8
*1 =Impossible 2 =Unlikely 3 =Unknown
4 =Likely 5 =Probable
Summary
The findings from this research show mixed concern. CHOs believe that cult activity on
campus will involve more students in the next 5 years. To be proactive and preventative in
educating and training staff, it is important to look at the perceived concerns of CHOs.
Residence halls leaders need to be prepared to deal with situations involving cults on
campus even though the current literature shows a lack of attention to the issues. In the
1970s and 1980s cult issues were addressed more frequently in the higher education
literature. If the aim of student affairs professionals is to support essential values and
provide values-centered leadership, the results of this study need to be strongly considered
(Dalton, 1993).
Future research might focus on the differences in private higher education versus public
higher education with regard to cult issues. It might also be interesting to survey other
levels of residence life staff regarding cults on campus. Hall directors and resident assistants
might have very different perceptions of cult activities on campus than do chief housing
officers.
References
Blimling, G.S. (1981). Cults, college students, and campus policies. NASPA Journal, 19, 2-
11.
Blimling, G.S. (1990). The involvement of college students in totalist groups: Causes,
concerns, legal issues, and policy considerations. Cultic Studies Journal, 7, 41-68.
Blimling, G.S. (1995). The resident assistant: Working with college students in residence
halls. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt.
Bowman, R. L., &Bowman, V. E. (1995). Academic courses to train resident assistants.
Journal of College Student Development, 36, 39-46.
