The University Guide Service is introducing a new tour focusing on the history of women and minorities in an effort to integrate more inclusive history into its tours.
Still in its preliminary stages, the new tour was given to a few small groups of students, administrators, faculty and staff members yesterday.
Tour organizers said they have not decided when the tours will be given in the future, but are planning on making them available regularly starting next semester.
Peter Yu, assistant dean in the Office of African-American Affairs, attended one of the tours and applauded the Guide Service's initiative.
"It's a good alternative for minority students to learn about their past presence at the University," Yu said.
All students could benefit from this information, he said.
"It's a good and natural learning experience," he added.
Asst. Dean of Students Michelle Samuels, who also attended a tour, said it was a beneficial addition.
"I'm very proud of them in terms of really trying to be inclusive of the history of the University," Samuels said.
She said it can be difficult to portray accurately groups whose history has not been sufficiently recorded.
"When you are talking about groups that were marginalized, there's not a lot of written, documented information that is accurate," she added.
Although the new tour is a positive step, the Guide Service also could benefit from tapping resources within the University community, such as professors and administrators who have been part of the community for several years, Samuels said.
Tom Bednar, a third-year College student and chairman of the University Guide Service Diversity Concerns Committee, proposed the idea.
Bednar said one of his goals is to increase the inclusiveness and historical accuracy of the Guide Service tours.
University Guides have been researching additional information about the history of women and minorities at the University for several weeks in preparation for the new tour.
The research will provide University Guides with information they can use in regular tours as well, Bednar said.
The new tours are designed to supplement the regular tours by offering a more detailed, in-depth look at the struggles women and minorities have endured since the University's founding.
Mandy Locke, a third-year College student and University Guide, said the first few tours will serve as test runs.
"Next time around we will have a lot more information about several [minority] groups," Locke said. "We will make it all-encompassing."
Several administrators and faculty members are slated to attend the next few tours, which will continue today and tomorrow.
The Guide Service also is considering creating tours that deal with other often-overlooked aspects of University history.
Read More
Board of Visitors Finance Committee hears presentation on budget process
By Cecilia Mould | 18 hours agoThe Committee will review and vote on the budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year when the full Board reconvenes for its June meeting.
Police forcefully clear encampment near University Chapel, detain protesters
By Thomas Baxter and Finn Trainer | 2 days agoThe University declared the encampment an unlawful assembly at 2:44 p.m.
Student Council passes appointment bill, approves new CIOs at final meeting of semester
By Arshiya Pant | 3 days agoMendoza Gonzalez also said she will be meeting with Kenyon R. Bonner, vice president and chief student affairs officer, to discuss further strategies for the Student Council Endowment Fund.
