Why We Need Diversity On College Campuses

Racial diversity is something that is often discussed on college campuses. As a student who self-identifies as a minority in more ways than one I often feel like I have a pretty good understanding of the subject of racism and race. However, often times when these issue are discussed I learn something new; this was the case when reading the articles this week. This week’s articles examined the issue of race from different perspectives. This allowed me to re-examine the issue in a fuller manner; it also allowed me to question some of my own notions that I hadn’t really challenged before.

Companies and educational institutions greatly benefit from the guidelines of affirmative action because they profit from the different ideas, work styles, and contributions unique to each diverse individual. As quoted in Paul Connors’s compilation, Affirmative Action, President of Columbia University, Lee Bollinger, addresses the importance of a diverse educational system by stating, “The experience of arriving on a campus to live and study with classmates from a diverse range of backgrounds is essential to students' training for this new world, nurturing in them an instinct to reach out instead of clinging to the comforts of what seems natural or familiar” (12-13). A statement by Southeastern Oklahoma State University further supports the idea that success in modern day society stems from diversity saying, “Our country is strong because of the rich diversity of our culture, not in spite of it” (Affirmative Action).

Racial preference has indisputably favored Caucasian males in society. Recently this dynamic has been debated in all aspects of life, including college admission. Racial bias has intruded on the students’ rights to being treated fairly. Admitting students on merit puts the best individuals into the professional environment. A university’s unprejudiced attitude towards race in applicants eliminates biases, empowers universities to harness the full potential of students’ intellect, and gives students an equal chance at admission.

Many colleges have come across the topic of diversity one way or another. In 2003, Abigail Fisher an applicant at the University of Texas, sued the college for failing to acknowledge her right to equal protection under the constitution. In her argument she stated that she felt the college had racially profiled her, which led to the dismissal of her application during the admission process. In the end the supreme court ruled in the favor of the college concluding the rights of Fisher had not been violated (Ortiz 714). This is an example of how diversity has emerged problematically within different systems. The ongoing

For many young adults, college is a time of great discovery as it presents them with an incredibly diverse assortment of people with whom they may mingle with. However, the mentally ill are often excluded from these interactions. Due to numerous misconceptions about their condition and the ensuing stigma that this creates, college students with a psychiatric disorder are left to endure unnecessary shunning from their peers. Fortunately, some universities have taken it amongst themselves to prevent this injustice from occurring, a prime example of which is the New Diversity Initiative program.

For over a century the University of Texas (UT) has served as a leading institution educating America’s leaders, however; the lingering effects of prior discrimination haunt the campus. Due to perceptions that UT’s environment is not supportive of underrepresented minority students, the University lacks diversity within its student body. Regardless, UT continues to receive an overwhelmingly selective applicant pool. However, without student diversity UT deems it difficult to perform its mission of providing superior educational opportunities while aiding the advancement of our society.

Affirmative action, and race-based admissions standards, are the best way to increase (or maintain) diversity at institutions of higher learning. In spite of its perceived flaws, it has increased the diversity at previously all-white institutions of higher learning, such as the University of Texas at Austin, and that diversity has allowed friendships to be formed that otherwise would not have been, has allowed students to learn from professors they otherwise would never have and allowed professors to learn from students from a wide variety of

Diversity on college campuses has increased, which has let people assume that racism decreased and acceptance expanded gradually, however minorities still face prejudice and discrimination. Harvard University presented a research where they gathered college students from 4 particular public universities and questioned them about the social behavior they have experienced or witnessed. In the contrary, they discovered that college students have encountered racist comments or negative facial expressions towards them from Caucasians (Caplan, page 31). This has led to propositions for instance, improving social conduct between children in school, more gratification in regard to one’s culture and positive outlook toward the culture of others because America’s obsession with race and racial attitudes continues to affect individuals emotionally. It is urgent to spread diversity at a younger stage of life, for upcoming children that are starting school. The need of role models around the nation is necessary and relevant to help multicultural education in the schools. Diversity has become significant since people all over the country are passionate about others knowing where they come from and making it possible of a more diverse society in the future.

Supporting the success for diverse students on campus is just the beginning to make their experience as equal to that of the white community. Without positive campus attitude and without the recognition of what diversity brings to a school and a classroom, the system would not thrive and those of a different ethnic background will not be inclined to attend. The conclusion to Espinosa’s, Gaertner, and Orfields article is that college and university leaders

University of Texas, colleges will continue to justify their race-conscious policies. “Institutions must show the reviewing court that the design and implementation of its chosen means, to attain sufficient racial diversity as part of its broader diversity aims are necessary to achieve those goals (College Board, p. 7, 2013).” It is important for courts to review their procedures carefully and provide analysis of how the admission process is narrowly tailored. This will document how colleges attain their diversity goals. Colleges will continue to review and evaluate under strict scrutiny principles to prove the impact that race conscious policies have for institutions. In addition, the ruling from this case impacts the student body by insuring that diversity

Bringing a diverse structure to medicine is vital for generating a change in the medical field such as reducing healthcare disparities and improving health care for all. Diversity is imperative because it provides us with the opportunity to learn from one another by exhibiting a level of understanding that assists us in facilitating collaboration and cooperation. Once we learn about other cultures it helps us understand different perspectives within the world in which we live, and helps to dispel negative stereotypes and personal biases about different groups. Student diversity for example needs to be vocalized more in medical education because it can become a key component in creating a physician workforce that can meet the needs of a diverse

For some, a college campus is the first time they are in a diverse environment. Especially at a school such as Potsdam which is located in a small, rural town. With so little people living in the surrounding areas there is thus not a diverse population. The local people who then come to this college may have never seen a black person before because that is how isolated the town is. Even for students that grew up around what they thought was diverse are surprised by the diversity they encounter here. College is a diverse place, but it often lacks a strong sense of diversity. The campus community was rocked last year when a black professor received multiple hate-filled letters from a former student. The students were outraged, and thus reacted

In order to study the need of a racially and culturally diverse college campus, the journey and battles fought must be dicussed. While there is a lack of diversity on college campuses today, they are not completely devoid of people of color. However, there was a time when college campuses were one hundred percent Caucasian. Jonathan R. Alger, Jorge Chapa and a team of researchers conducted studies on various college classrooms. They then went on to publish their findings in a book titled Does Diversity make a Difference? The purpose of their paper was to discuss the importance of diversity and reveal the effects of non-diverse campus. They begin their book by taking a look into the history of diversity in America. The start of the Civil Rights movement along with President Lyndon B. Johnson’s war on poverty took place in the mid 1960s. These events forced the country to face the reality of the people of color in America. These Americans of color did not have equal access to education, jobs, housing, or other valued resources (Alger et al. 2000). College administrators and faculty were starting to understand the necessity of a diverse campus. The realized that people of color had just as much to offer to the United States as the Caucasian majority. During that time, “many higher education faculty members and administrators were deeply concerned that abandonment of race sensitive admissions and hiring, at a time when most minority groups continue to be unrepresented in higher education, will severely limit campus diversity and would undermine the learning environment for all students.” (Alger et al. 2000). Additionally, a lot of the traditionally white colleges and universities were provoked and questioned by the concerns of their students. The universities and colleges began to notice their inability to extend the same educational

The word “diversity” means a range of different things. It can also see as the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas and so on. As a university student you are expected to have an idea in every aspect or area of life because learning is universal despite you are in school, you have to incorporate learning with social, economic, political and environmental aspect of life. These can be along, the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities religious beliefs political beliefs, or other ideologies.

At UC-Berkeley, the course description for "Politics and Poetics" (Fall Course 2002) stated that "conservative thinkers are encouraged to seek other sections." (SAF 1). Though the instructor later apologized for the description, this is the sort of encouragement conservative-minded students are greeted with many times during their college experience. It is said that in class, students are taught that their country -- and Western culture in general -- is tainted by racism, sexism, and oppression (Stearn 2).