Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 18, 2001, Page 73
Summary
Several assumptions can be ascertained from this study. First, almost all CCOs who
responded to the questionnaire defined cult using the ―anti-cult‖ definition. Second, the
majority of CCOs viewed the issue of cults on college campuses to be one of importance,
although they have devoted little in the way of educating students and staff about the topic,
perhaps because most respondents did not have anybody knowledgeable about cults on
staff. Most of the respondents also believed there would be students on their campus
involved in a cult within the next five years. Finally, there was either a reticence to directly
name cults involved on campuses or a lack of knowledge concerning specific cults for CCOs
who responded to the questionnaire.
A great deal more research on cult phenomena should be conducted on college and
university campuses. A variety of populations on college campuses have yet to be polled
regarding their opinion of cults on campus. This and prior studies have only begun to
scratch the surface of research possibilities in an area that appears to warrant more
attention.
References
Blimling, G.S. (1995). The resident assistant: Working with college students in residence halls.
Dubuque: Kendall Hunt.
Elleven, R.K., Kern, C.W., &Moore, K.C. (1998). Residence halls and cults: Fact or fiction? Cultic
Studies Journal, 15, 68-76.
Enroth, R.M. (1992). Churches that abuse. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing.
Hassan, S. (1990). Combating cult mind control. Rochester: Park Street Press.
Jenkins, P. (2000). Mystics and messiahs: Cults and new religions in American history. New York:
Oxford University Press.
Larson, B. (1989). Larson’s new book of cults. Wheaton: Tyndall House
Langone, M.D. (1993). Recovery from cults. New York: W.W. Norton.
Langone, M.D. (2000). The two ―camps‖ of cultic studies: Time for a dialogue. Cultic Studies Journal,
17, 79-100.
Lebar, J.J. (1989). Cults, sects, and the new age. Huntington: OSV Press.
H. Mansfield (personal communication), (August 28, 2001).
Maryland Cult Task Force. (1999). Executive Summary of the Task Force to Study the Effects of cult
Activities on Public Senior Higher Education Institutions.
Rudin, M. (1996). Cults on campus: Continuing challenge (2nd ed.). Bonita Springs, Fl: American
Family Foundation.
Singer, M. T., &Lalich, J. (1995). Cults in our midst. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Tabor, J.D. &Gallagher, E.V. (1995). Why Waco? Cults and the battle for religious freedom in
America. Berkley: University of California Press.
**********
Russell K. Elleven, Ed.D. is the Associate Director for Residence Life at Texas Christian
University.
Jennifer Van Veldhuizen is a Residence Hall Director at Texas Christian University.
Elizabeth Taylor, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Counseling at Texas Christian University.
This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 2001, Volume 18, Part
2, pages 100-108. Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the bound
volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
Summary
Several assumptions can be ascertained from this study. First, almost all CCOs who
responded to the questionnaire defined cult using the ―anti-cult‖ definition. Second, the
majority of CCOs viewed the issue of cults on college campuses to be one of importance,
although they have devoted little in the way of educating students and staff about the topic,
perhaps because most respondents did not have anybody knowledgeable about cults on
staff. Most of the respondents also believed there would be students on their campus
involved in a cult within the next five years. Finally, there was either a reticence to directly
name cults involved on campuses or a lack of knowledge concerning specific cults for CCOs
who responded to the questionnaire.
A great deal more research on cult phenomena should be conducted on college and
university campuses. A variety of populations on college campuses have yet to be polled
regarding their opinion of cults on campus. This and prior studies have only begun to
scratch the surface of research possibilities in an area that appears to warrant more
attention.
References
Blimling, G.S. (1995). The resident assistant: Working with college students in residence halls.
Dubuque: Kendall Hunt.
Elleven, R.K., Kern, C.W., &Moore, K.C. (1998). Residence halls and cults: Fact or fiction? Cultic
Studies Journal, 15, 68-76.
Enroth, R.M. (1992). Churches that abuse. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing.
Hassan, S. (1990). Combating cult mind control. Rochester: Park Street Press.
Jenkins, P. (2000). Mystics and messiahs: Cults and new religions in American history. New York:
Oxford University Press.
Larson, B. (1989). Larson’s new book of cults. Wheaton: Tyndall House
Langone, M.D. (1993). Recovery from cults. New York: W.W. Norton.
Langone, M.D. (2000). The two ―camps‖ of cultic studies: Time for a dialogue. Cultic Studies Journal,
17, 79-100.
Lebar, J.J. (1989). Cults, sects, and the new age. Huntington: OSV Press.
H. Mansfield (personal communication), (August 28, 2001).
Maryland Cult Task Force. (1999). Executive Summary of the Task Force to Study the Effects of cult
Activities on Public Senior Higher Education Institutions.
Rudin, M. (1996). Cults on campus: Continuing challenge (2nd ed.). Bonita Springs, Fl: American
Family Foundation.
Singer, M. T., &Lalich, J. (1995). Cults in our midst. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Tabor, J.D. &Gallagher, E.V. (1995). Why Waco? Cults and the battle for religious freedom in
America. Berkley: University of California Press.
**********
Russell K. Elleven, Ed.D. is the Associate Director for Residence Life at Texas Christian
University.
Jennifer Van Veldhuizen is a Residence Hall Director at Texas Christian University.
Elizabeth Taylor, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Counseling at Texas Christian University.
This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 2001, Volume 18, Part
2, pages 100-108. Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the bound
volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
