A group of first-year students are applying the concepts they learned in a class last semester to form a group to promote diversity on campus.
After taking a first-year seminar on race and ethnicity, the students have formed a group to facilitate communication and encourage dialogue between diverse races, genders, religions and classes.
Students United for Multicultural Initiatives was developed for students and by students, said program facilitator Dr. Lucila Nerenberg, who works in the University Medical Center.
"I'm really excited to be a part of this group because ideally we want to have a more integrated campus and create more cultural awareness in students," said LSA first-year student Diana Economy, a SUMI member.
Economy said SUMI wants to make a powerful difference among students by creating a greater understanding across campus.
"This can definitely be a powerful group. We can substantially make a difference," said SUMI member and LSA first-year student Kelly Boland.
Some immediate goals include diversity workshops, retreats, and participation in "Welcome Week" and summer orientation, said SUMI member Robert Green, an LSA first-year student.
SUMI members aren't the only students excited about the group.
"I'm really pleased this group is forming," Engineering senior Marcus Little said. "A group that is focusing on bringing diverse cultures together sounds like a lot of work, but it seems like it will be fun."
Group members realize they have challenges ahead of them, but they are no strangers to hard work, Nerenberg said. She also said SUMI members were selected by the Intergroup Relations, Conflict and Community Board - a group formed by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs.
Each member was chosen from Psychology 120 - a first-year student seminar class that focused on various issues pertaining to race, sexual orientation and religion, Nerenberg said.
After that class, students said they wanted to form a group to make and implement changes on campus and in the community.
"This board is an excellent idea because the students set their own agenda. My job is to assist them with connections and support," Nerenberg said.
SUMI currently consists of first-year students but the group hopes to increase membership to include all classes, Nerenberg said.
The group's long-term goals include working with other student groups and sponsoring an all-day concert that will feature bands and singers of different ethnicities, Green said.