In response to concerns about multicultural awareness on Grounds, several minority student leaders have discussed the introduction of a multicultural education requirement to increase sensitivity toward diversity in the University community.
Fourth-year College student Michelle Morse, one of the students attempting to implement the diversity education requirement, explained that by making diversity a core value, such as honor or student self-governance, the University community will grow more aware of the perspectives of students different from themselves.
"Honor and the University Judiciary Committee get lots of funding, but diversity is something that the University" does not officially recognize as of yet and therefore "does not get the funding it needs," she said.
Concerned students haveworked with The Coalition, a group of student representatives from minority groups on Grounds, to implement a multicultural education requirement for all students.
The requirement would be different from the non-Western perspectives requirement, focusing primarily on diversity issues faced within the United States.
Although the development of the requirement remains in its early stages, two routes now are being discussed.One is a class based upon a current Education School course -- EDLF 555, Multicultural Education, taught by Education Prof. Bob Covert.The other is to make a number of classes count for the diversity education requirement, similar to the current second writing or historical studies requirements.
Fourth-year College student Mike Maszaros, Queer Student Union president and Coalition member, explained that either route would help increase awareness of minority issues.
"The University currently does not offer any Latino or Queer studies classes, which other colleges do offer," he said. "Whether it is one class or several, queer issues" will be discussed in the proposed courses.
The students hope to have the diversity education requirement established by the 2003-2004 school year, though budget cuts and a lack of faculty could complicate the process.
Ryan McCarthy, fourth-year College student and chairman of The Coalition, said leaders are meeting with University administrators and representatives from the College and Student Council tomorrow to discuss the feasibility and logistics of implementing a diversity requirement.
"We hope to get the base class set up, though we don't know how realistic it is going to be right now," McCarthy said.
He added that it has grown increasingly important to include multicultural education in the University curriculum, and that such a step has been on The Coalition's agenda since early this semester.
"Recent incidents involving fraternities on Grounds show the necessity and the need for this class," he said. "Education is the key to combating ignorance."
During a meeting with about 50 student leaders, five concerned students handed out a questionnaire about diversity, and the answers will be compiled as soon as the questionnaires are returned later this week.
According to Morse, the questionnaire asked three questions about the past, present and future state of diversity in the University community.
Based upon the questionnaire results, students will submit a report to Vice President for Student Affairs Pat Lampkin.
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