CLC discusses diversity program for residence halls
By FINN PRESSLY
A new diversity program is headed for the residence halls this semester, according to David Moss, assistant vice-president for Student Affairs.
"What we're coming to now is the culmination of a year's planning," said Moss, who addressed the Campus Life Council at the invitation of student body vice-president Michael Palumbo.
At the core of the program is a team of 29 student "facilitators" who represent all racial backgrounds on campus.
These facilitators currently are enrolled in a one-credit psychology class that addresses many "isms" of modern society: classism, sexism and racism, among others. The last three weeks of the class are devoted to planning the logistics of "diversity experiences" — evening discussions intended to begin a continuing diversity initiative in the residence halls.
"We don't want this initial step to be the end of the conversation of diversity on campus," he said. "Our hope is … next year, it won't just be a freshman program. There will be a number of programs in the hall dealing with diversity."
Though the program currently is aimed specifically at freshmen, Moss expects the "fallout effect" from the program to filter through the halls to every student.
Hall Presidents Council co-president Brian Rigney said a round-table discussion on diversity in Keenan Hall last year had a positive effect on the participants. He praised the new program.
"I like the way you're getting students involved," Rigney said.
"For Keenan that worked great," Moss said. "[The] program [will be] tailored specifically for each individual hall. Each hall has a certain dorm atmosphere.
"We will make, I think, a tremendous impact on the student body," he concluded.
In other CLC news:
• The council approved the nomination of the CLC parliamentarian Dan Peate. Former parliamentarian Stephen Sanchez resigned recently due to a schedule conflict that prevented him from attending meetings. Sanchez will continue to serve as Student Senate parliamentarian.
All News Stories for Tuesday, September 14, 1999
