Schedule of Events

This research examines public perceptions of law enforcement, focusing on the specific issues of use of force and racial profiling. Our presentation is based on a larger survey project that was conducted by a five-person research group of criminal justice students from California Lutheran University. Data was collected using an anonymous online survey via Qualtrics. The survey consisted of 28 questions and was distributed using convenience, snowball, and purposive sampling through email and social media. We collected 117 anonymous responses. Our analysis focuses specifically on gender and racial differences in respondents' perceptions of law enforcement across demographic categories; Non-whites believe that they are targeted and treated more harshly compared to whites, and women are more likely to report racial profiling and are less likely to agree with police use of force compared to men. Our findings contribute to existing criminological literature and illuminate the community's ambivalent views of police. Understanding these issues is crucial for improving community relations between law enforcement and the community.

This study investigates the subcultural aspects of the parties that took place in a neighborhood adjacent to a large, public university in southern California which is known for being a "party" school. The research is based on data collected during a semester-long participant observation study of this public setting, a neighborhood known as 'Tipsy Town'. The researchers utilized pseudonyms for all proper nouns in order to protect the confidentiality of participants. The findings reveal that Tipsy Town possesses at least six of the eight aspects of a deviant subculture. This study adds to the existing or studies that have previously been conducted to understand partying behaviors in college students. Results from this study can be used to assist university officials, health educators, and property owners (who rent out houses in this area to college students) in better understanding what types of activities take place at open-access (no invitation required) college parties. Research findings may also allow private and public agencies to protect the health and safety of college-adjacent communities and to also help individuals who live and/or party in these types of neighborhoods to avoid negative consequences of the "party school" subculture. 

Decisions about sexual experiences should ultimately be a matter of personal choice, but there are social expectations that shape our beliefs and attitudes about sexual decision making. This study investigates attitudes about the loss of virginity, focusing on differences between men and women and between religiously-affiliated respondents and non-religiously-affiliated respondents. The research is supported with an extensive literature review and a questionnaire that was conducted using the online survey program, Qualtrics. Non-probability sampling was used, specifically convenience sampling, snowball sampling and purposive sampling. Findings reveal that out of 395 respondents, 87% of males and 76% of females reported having positive or neutral attitudes about losing their virginity. No statistically significant correlation was found among religiously-affiliated respondents and non-religiously affiliated respondents in regards to their attitudes about losing their virginity. Research on this topic is important because it advances our understanding of the correlation between social expectations, private attitudes, and personal actions. 

This study investigates the volunteer process of being welcomed, trained, utilized, and motivated to produce maximum results from volunteers themselves. The research is based on data collected during a semester-long participant observation study of two soup kitchens within the greater Los Angeles area. The findings reveal that in order to ensure success of a charitable organization, a specific volunteer process must be followed. This process of welcoming, training, utilizing, and motivating volunteers shows how organizations can maximize volunteer labor in order to ensure their own ultimate success. This study adds to the existing research that has previously been conducted to understand factors and motivations behind volunteers’ work. Results from this study can be used to assist charitable organizations that depend on the labor of volunteers for success. It will allow them to better understand how to properly welcome, train, utilize, and motivate volunteers, thus ultimately delivering higher quality of services to populations.