This study investigated the participation of women and minorities in the United States forensic community. Surveys sent to a large cross-section of the college and university forensic community examined such issues as: academic mission; funding sources for the forensic program; program evaluation; program size; program activities; program records regarding diversity; evaluation of program diversity; percentage of program participants by gender and ethnicity; and rates of minority participation in program activities. Results indicated that women were well represented as participants in forensic activities, with women having about a 50-percent participation rate. Approximately 25 percent of participants in forensic activities were of non-European descent. The number of minority and women participants was most affected when diversity was used as a criterion for evaluating the program and formal records were kept. Participation rates did not differ when comparing debate, individual events, or mock trial activities. Factors such as the nature of the institution, funding sources, and measures of program success were largely unrelated to the extent of participation by various groups. Urban institutions tended to have higher levels of minority participation. (Contains 57 bibliographic references.) (SM)