2008 Woodie Awards
Diversity incentives still a work in progress
Forrest Bowlick
Issue date: 10/15/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Universal diversity is an issue that has been embraced and pursued by the University of Northern Colorado, but results from last semester's Campus Climate Survey are still not available.
The Campus Climate Survey was administered to students, faculty and staff at the University of Northern Colorado in an effort to gather information so that the university could investigate opinions on diversity and determine what areas needed improvement.
In addition, a Strategic Inclusion and Diversity Development Initiative at UNC's Website was launched to assist in communicating information from the diversity initiative to the student body.
While the CCS results have not been released, basic diversity numbers on UNC's Website break down the student body as 63 percent female, 37 percent male and 15 percent minority. While a number of 15 percent might seem large in a student population of 10,799, the general diversity of the student body isn't perceived by many students.
"Diversity isn't really that prevalent," said Aaron Pasterz, a junior psychology major. "There isn't intermingling with different groups, everyone keeps together."
The best places to experience diversity and have multicultural exposure on campus are the cultural centers. The Asian/Pacific American Student Services (A/PASS) center, the Cesar Chavez Cultural Center, Marcus Garvey House and the Native American Student Service Center, all provide venues for any student to become involved in multicultural affairs on campus.
"The cultural centers definitely contribute to diversity," said Michael Bidwell, a sophomore art major. "The centers hold events and that gets people's attention."
But the centers, alone, weren't doing enough for diversity on campus.
"We face some challengesregarding diversity," said UNC President Kay Norton in an open letter to the campus community. "UNC for example, we aren't retaining or graduating students at the rates we would like to be. We also know that as a university, we're not immune to the tensions in our community related to diversity and ethnicity."
Diversity is an issue that takes commitment, according to Norton.
"I am committed to making the diversity initiative an organic and evolving process," Norton said. "In fact, I believe that learning and adjusting as we go is crucial to its success."
As the student body awaits the results of the CCS survey, there are some suggestions as to how to better integrate diversity on campus.
"Expand the student exchange program," said Pasterz. "Try to bring more diversity through incentives."
In any case, the university says it is committed to welcoming "diversity in the broadest sense." UNC's diversity Web page can be found at unco.edu/diversity/index.html. Kay Norton's letter to the campus community can be found at unco.edu/diversity/communications/pres_letter.html.
The Campus Climate Survey was administered to students, faculty and staff at the University of Northern Colorado in an effort to gather information so that the university could investigate opinions on diversity and determine what areas needed improvement.
In addition, a Strategic Inclusion and Diversity Development Initiative at UNC's Website was launched to assist in communicating information from the diversity initiative to the student body.
While the CCS results have not been released, basic diversity numbers on UNC's Website break down the student body as 63 percent female, 37 percent male and 15 percent minority. While a number of 15 percent might seem large in a student population of 10,799, the general diversity of the student body isn't perceived by many students.
"Diversity isn't really that prevalent," said Aaron Pasterz, a junior psychology major. "There isn't intermingling with different groups, everyone keeps together."
The best places to experience diversity and have multicultural exposure on campus are the cultural centers. The Asian/Pacific American Student Services (A/PASS) center, the Cesar Chavez Cultural Center, Marcus Garvey House and the Native American Student Service Center, all provide venues for any student to become involved in multicultural affairs on campus.
"The cultural centers definitely contribute to diversity," said Michael Bidwell, a sophomore art major. "The centers hold events and that gets people's attention."
But the centers, alone, weren't doing enough for diversity on campus.
"We face some challengesregarding diversity," said UNC President Kay Norton in an open letter to the campus community. "UNC for example, we aren't retaining or graduating students at the rates we would like to be. We also know that as a university, we're not immune to the tensions in our community related to diversity and ethnicity."
Diversity is an issue that takes commitment, according to Norton.
"I am committed to making the diversity initiative an organic and evolving process," Norton said. "In fact, I believe that learning and adjusting as we go is crucial to its success."
As the student body awaits the results of the CCS survey, there are some suggestions as to how to better integrate diversity on campus.
"Expand the student exchange program," said Pasterz. "Try to bring more diversity through incentives."
In any case, the university says it is committed to welcoming "diversity in the broadest sense." UNC's diversity Web page can be found at unco.edu/diversity/index.html. Kay Norton's letter to the campus community can be found at unco.edu/diversity/communications/pres_letter.html.
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