Stirring The Pot: Recipes For Inclusive Diversity

As part of the Deliberation Nation, I attended the deliberation “Stirring The Pot: Recipes For Inclusive Diversity”.  The main focus of the event was to show the importance and benefits of diversity.  As part of the event, they defined diversity as the state of being diverse by race and gender, but also delved into the other’s areas sexual orientation and religion which they didn’t discuss in the deliberation.  The main point was that diversity on college campuses would prepare the future of America for the quickly changing workforce of society.  The deliberation was broken down into three different approaches of increased financial aid, university programs, and housing.  I felt these three topics were diverse enough, but more importantly interconnected to the larger issue of diversity.

The first approach was on increased financial aid for U.S. colleges and universities.  The large problem is that high tuition and living costs at most colleges and universities selects against low-income students.  With a significant majority being from minority backgrounds this limits socioeconomic and cultural diversity on campuses.  More financial aid programs and awareness of current programs was a key point brought up.  Most low-income minority families do not know that these programs even exist, so creating more isn’t the best solution.  In all, I found this approach to absorbing, and it showed where the diversity issue on college campuses stemmed from.

The second approach was on different university programs that existed or could be implemented.  It’s a sad fact, but most diversity on college campuses often does not exist beyond the admissions office.  This leaves many student bodies separated by ethnicity.  A great way proposed to fix this issue would be university led and mandated events and programs to promote diversity within the student body.  These programs and activities will allow students to meet other they may truly like, but would never have met without the programs.  Additionally, these programs can be fun and exciting for students where they get to interact and not just lectures and classroom activities.

The third approach was on housing and dormitory life at colleges and universities.  Dorm life at college is a significant aspect of the culture on many campuses.  Dorms are a place of socialization and community growth among the students on the floor.  As many students pointed out at the event, the majority of their dormitory floors were the same race as them.  Although this may help foreigners feel more at home, it isolated each race.  The University needs to promote several levels to promote acceptance and cultural growth.

In all, I found the deliberation  “Stirring The Pot: Recipes For Inclusive Diversity” to be fascinating and insightful.  The three approaches all had good points but together seemed like a very solid plan to fix the issue of college diversity.