Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 18, 2001, Page 70
groups on campuses, student and staff involvement, and to ascertain if there were
specific counselors on staff prepared to assist students who may be involved in high
demand groups. The gender of CCO respondents was 54% female and 46% male.
Table 1
Chief Counseling Officer Demographics (N=81)
Demographic Percent
Gender
Female 53.8
Male 46.3
Education Level
Master‘s Degree 22.5
Doctorate 76.3
Other 1.3
Current Employment as a CCO
0-2 years 28.8
3-5 years 18.8
6-10 years 20.0
10 or more 32.5
Years Employed at Current Institution
0-2 years 17.5
3-5 years 16.3
6-10 years 20.0
10 or more 46.3
Years Employed in Counseling Profession
0-2 years 5.0
3-5 years 6.3
6-10 years 13.8
10 or more 75.0
Cult Definition Agreement
―Pro-Cult‖ 6.3
―Anti-Cult‖
93.7
Institutional Characteristics
Of the 81 respondents, 49% represented public institutions. Private institution
representation was only slightly higher at 51%. The enrollment varied from small (less than
1000 students) to more than 5,000. Most institutions (48%) had large enrollments. Medium
sized institutions (1001-5000) responded with 43% of the surveys while small institutions
comprised only 9% of respondents.
The authors divided respondent states in three geographic areas. Eastern states, central
states, and western states were identified to provide additional institutional information.
Most respondents were from eastern states (46%). Middle states made up 41% of
respondents and western states made up only 13%. Respondents classified the area in
which their institution is located as: metropolitan (37%), rural (33%), urban (14%)
suburban (10%), or other (6%).

Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 18, 2001, Page 71
Table 2
Institution Demographics (N=81)
Perceived Current Involvement
Forty-two percent of respondents believed that it was either likely or probable that students
on their campus were currently involved in a cult. A full 64% of respondents believed that
students on their campus had been involved in a cult at sometime in the past.
The numbers were much different for faculty and staff cult involvement. CCOs were unsure
63% of the time if there was current cult involvement by their institution‘s faculty or staff.
However, 43% of respondents believed it was either unlikely or impossible that a faculty or
staff member at their institution had ever had a cult involvement. It appears that
respondents believed younger college-aged students are more susceptible to cults than their
colleagues.
Table 3
Student or Staff Involvement in Cult Activity (N=81)
Question Percentage for Each Rating
1 2 3 4 54
Q. 11. There are currently students on
my campus involved in cults? 0.0 17.3 40.7 22.2 19.8
Q. 12. There have never been students
on my campus involved in cults? 28.4 35.8 27.2 6.2 2.5
Q. 13. There is currently a staff or
faculty member on my campus who is
involved in a cult?
6.2 17.3 63.0 8.6 4.9
Q. 14. There has never been a staff or
faculty member on my campus who has
been involved in a cult?
17.3 25.9 46.9 6.2 3.7
*1 =Impossible 2 =Unlikely 3 =Unknown 4 =Likely 5 =Probable
Demographic Percent
Institutional Type
Public 48.8
Private 51.3
Student Enrollment
1-1000 8.9
1001-5000 43.0
More than 5000 48.1
Geographical Location
Eastern United States 46.3
Central United States 41.3
Western United States 12.5
Type of Area
Metropolitan 36.7
Rural 32.9
Suburban 10.1
Urban 13.9
Other 6.3