Cynicism or Apathy?: Defining Political Norms Influencing the Campus Climate

This study focuses on the role of interpersonal experiences within students' political identity development. Based on interviews with 22 undergraduate student leaders from two small liberal arts colleges in different regions of the country, the study reveals the role of the interpersonal dimensions of campus climate on students' willingness or ability to be politically engaged. The article concludes with recommendations on how educators can work to understand campus political norms.