Students discuss role of diversity on SMC campus
By Amy Greene
News Writer
Saint Mary's is steadily making campus diversity a major priority for the future. Diversity Committee member Mana Derakhshani approached the Board of Governance Wednesday for the board's input and plans on campus diversity.
"So often people think of diversity as being a racial issue,"said student body president Crissie Renner. "It's important that we encourage diversity overall beyond the issues of ethnicity and race."
Derakhshani approached the board with the Diversity Committee's "Four Prong"plan to increase campus diversity. The four prongs include student recruiting and retention, hiring faculty, administration, and staff, expanding the curriculum, and campus climate.
Some students admitted noticing a lack of diversity on campus.
"Coming here as an international student I did see segregation by race,"said Student Diversity Board president, Akmaral Omarova. "I understand it is somewhat natural, but I think that once we graduate from here we should be sensitive and aware of all people,"said Omarova.
According to Omarova, some alumnae have admitted to being unprepared for the presence of diverse groups found in everyday life after experiencing Saint Mary's.
"The question remains though,"said Derakhshani, "What should diversity mean at Saint Mary's?"
Treasurer of the Student Diversity Board Kendra Klink said that "diversity should encompass not just race, but religion, sexual orientation, and individualism."
Students also addressed current attitudes towards diversity on campus.
Board member Kristy Sutorius added "I think there should do more urban recruiting to bring diversity. Too often here there is the `white middle class girl who went to Catholic high school.'"
Some students proposed the idea that the availability of financial aid was a probable factor in stunting campus diversity.
"I know students that have had to leave here because of financial aid,"said board member Cindy Cvengros. "We need to find a way to bring students here financially then keep them here financially."
The Diversity Committee is searching for the best and most universal way to educate and make the student body aware about diversity on campus.
"Perhaps we need to bring diversity into the curriculum and not just have clubs about diversity. With a club only those who are interested are going to go and make the effort,"said freshmen president, Zoe Zelazny.
Derakhshani proposed a possible general education requirement for the future encompassing an aspect of diversity. The committee speculated about having a tentative "Four Prong" proposal draft in January.
In other BOG news:
u Nine chemistry students will be traveling and to San Diego in April to participate in the National American Chemistry Society Convention.
u Dalloway's dedication and grand opening is planned for Friday, November 10 at 4 p.m.
u "Who Wants to Win $100" will be held in LeMans lobby on Monday, November 13, at 8:30 p.m.
u The Student Diversity Board's "Cultural Potluck" is Wednesday, November 15 in the dining hall.
u The BOG announced that Operation Christmas Child boxes are due Friday, November 17.
All News Stories for Thursday, November 9, 2000
