Editor's
note: The following letters were received through the magazine's
React Online form.
As a participant of the African American Catholic Leadership
Development Seminar, I think that the seminar was a valuable recruiting
tool for the University. If I was not invited to attend the seminar
I would have never even thought of applying to a school in Indiana.
I was slightly appalled at the statement made stating "seminar
participants seemed largely unaware of any controversy over race
or ethnicity-based preferences in college admissions." We are
largely AWARE of the controversy and many of us who are multicultural
such as Anna Mazig and myself feel that having diversity in a
school environment allows students to have a better understanding
of the world.
Keyanna Hartley
Miami Florida
Mr.Cohen states that in surveys, the graduating
seniors consistently said they wished the student body were more
diverse. Why weren't the students asked who would have been willing
give up his/her spot at Notre Dame to allow this wish to happen?
J. McCabe
This was a very honest and it seems accurate
assessment of the way the student body is formed each year at
ND. However, if it is true that a more diversified student body
benefits students and offers a better end product, then how can
the Board of Trustees commitment to preserving the University's
Catholic Character by enrolling such a huge percentage of Catholic
students not work against this diversified ideal? Doesn't there
seem to exist today a deficit of understanding with regard to
faiths other than our own in this country and indeed the world
that might be reduced were young people to live, work and study
together in an environment where different faiths are respected
and well represented?
Kevin P. Morrissey '86
Woodbridge, Virginia
I'm impressed that the University printed this
article and the article by Marc Conklin, '91 ("What I learned
at Notre Dame about the Value of Diversity") in the same issue.
These topics are often very difficult to address, but by creating
a constant and consistent dialogue we can all come to a better
understanding and appreciation of the many efforts that work to
improve our campus climate, our student experience and our alumni
experience.
Jose Gonzalez, '91
Cleveland, Ohio
This article served to clearly and honestly
address the many obstacles that Notre Dame faces in their view
of an ideal college community. Unless the administration begins
to value a diverse student body as a benefit for students who
attend the university, simply attracting numbers or percentages
will not change the culture of the school. The irony in reading
this article was that the language and facts provided did little
but negate the proposed goals of the university.
Scott Kmack '02
Boston
