Branch out

Students often ignore campus diversity

Recent reports by the U.S. Census Bureau show an overwhelming increase in minority demographics in the United States since the early '90s. The Latino/a and Asian American populations have seen increases by more than 35 percent relative to the overall population. Statistically, the University is one of the more diverse campuses in the nation. Students originate from all 50 states and more than 115 countries. But, many students do not take full advantage of this diverse campus.

This has led the University and various organizations to create classes and programs in the hope of educating and promoting awareness of other cultures and ethnicity. But the programs are ineffective when students isolate themselves in their own comfort zones, unwilling to associate with people different from themselves.

Students enrolled in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts are required to take a class in race and ethnicity. In the ever-changing demographics of America, the college is trying to help break down the walls of cultural ignorance, to promote diverse interaction and to foster communities of different backgrounds.

Multiethnic Students Affairs, Intergroup Relations, Conflict and Community and Dialogues on Diversity have similar hopes. They offer many programs to help educate students beyond the classroom and broaden their learning experiences.

MESA currently is planning the Martin Luther King Jr. symposium titled "The demographics of the new pluralism: dimensions of change." Dialogues on Diversity often brings in guest speakers from around the world to speak on current issues surrounding diversity. IGRCC offers intergroup dialogue classes - a great opportunity to explore differences and work on building alliances among groups.

While these programs help bring the issue of diversity to the forefront of discussion, they still have a long way to go. Just look at a typical residence hall cafeteria. Scattered about in distinct groups are the blacks, the Asian Americans, the Latino Americans and the international students.

Some campus clubs and organizations add to this ethnic and cultural separation. Organizations that recruit members solely based on ethnicity sometimes exclude others who might contribute. It is understandable that people like to feel comfortable. And it is also important to have organizations that promote certain cultures and beliefs. But people often create inclusive ethnic and cultural cliques that destroy a diverse and growing community.

Students can help to transform this campus by joining various clubs to meet new and different people, getting involved in multiethnic organizations and even taking the time to meet new people in classes.

Students should take more time to explore the options offered by IGRCC, Dialogues on Diversity and MESA. Programs and methods do not work if people refuse to change. It starts with open-minded students willing and wanting to work with different people. No matter how statistically diverse this school is, there will never be a rich environment of diverse thinking and ideas when people are unwilling to break out of familiar territory.

09-28-99