Diversity Board's accomplishments in question
By MYRA McGRIFF
News Writer
As elections for the Student Diversity Board approach, the Board's accomplishments are in the spotlight.
The Student Diversity Board set out to bring a cultural awareness on campus when it began in the fall of 2000, but people on campus have different ideas as to whether the Board accomplished as much as it could have and what it needs to do in the future.
"Through co-sponsorship, doing events we want to educate people, to tell them that there is more to Saint Mary's campus," said Akmaral Omarova, president of the Student Diversity Board.
But some students believe the Board has not been educating people on Saint Mary's campus. They do not see the Board focusing on the cultural issues and broadening how students view each other.
"They focus on other issues but seem to be ignoring the racial part that is already here. I see members of the Board on campus that pass me and still don't talk to me," said Deon Thompson, member of Sisters of Nefertiti.
Some of the Board's events, such as last semester's Thanksgiving cultural potluck dinner, never came to fruition, once again making it more difficult to educate people about the unique makeup of Saint Mary's campus.
"We gathered all the recipes for the event and at the last minute the dining hall decided not to make- them. They didn't think students would want to eat the food,' said Omarova.
Although its cultural event for last semester ran into obstacles, the Board was able to make steps to improve the campus for those students with disabilities.
"The Board has given a voice to disabled students. Last semester we were able to propose measures to improve accessibility on campus for disabled students and hopefully money will be set aside to make those changes," said Sara Mahoney, a member of Students with Disabilities and Diversity Board.
The Boardalso plans to pack the month of March with activities. Featuring events ranging from International Women's Week to Hunger Awareness Week, each member of the Board has taken on a cause.
"We are working on getting students to sponsor a child with the Sisters of the Holy Cross in Mexico. If this works we want to start sponsoring children around the world," said Virginia Brewer-Delgado.
Along with helping the world, the Board is trying to involve the South Bend community in its effort to enrich Saint Mary's students.
"For Disabilities Week we want to bring in the Logan center. We want people to see that Saint Mary's is not just one homogenous community," said Omarova.
Even though the Board is planning events for March, some students think the Board can play an even bigger role on campus.
Some students, like campus activist senior Maureen Capillo, are concerned because they want a Board that is visibly active.
"They haven't done much and they have a lot of work ahead of them," said Capillo.
Utilitizing its resources is key, said Jamie Newcomb, Board member.
"Having all these people in one place is an incredible amount of power only if we use it," said Newcomb.
One of the efforts of the Board to increase dialogue on campus this semester has been to hold student forums to discuss various issues.
The first forum in February was so successful that a second was held the next week to continue the discussion on diversity and stereotypes people harbor.
The Board also wants to use the forum as a place for student opinions.
"We want to get Saint Mary"s community into dialogue about any issues students have," said Omarova.
The Board acknowledges there is much to be done to work on creating a culturally aware campus.
"It is an ongoing challenge and daily struggle. The more we talk the more we open and I think by next year we will be in a different place," said Terri Johnson, advisor and director of Multicultural Affairs at Saint Mary's.
All News Stories for Wednesday, March 7, 2001
