Diversity program to focus on pluralism

For the past two years, "diversity" has been the catchphrase for incoming freshman classes during their Diversity Education Program on Labor Day. But next year, the Class of 1995 will also learn about "pluralism" -- a move which organizers say incorporates a broader definition of student interaction. "Diversity is the mere presence of other groups," said Bob Schoenberg, assistant director of Student Life Programs. "Pluralism is a pro-acting, working together of different groups." From that definition, organizers of this fall's awareness programs are altering the content of the controversial program to encourage more interaction between students from different backgrounds. The focus on pluralism is based on the Faust Report, a study of student life released last November, which defines a plural community as a society where individuals from different cultural backgrounds "maintain their separate identities, yet come together in a community enriched by both its members' differences and their similarities." Student Life Program Director Terri White said last week that the move is a natural progression beyond the current program. And although the focus is shifting toward pluralism, the directors are not certain how this shift will alter the program. "We are at the very beginning of the planning process," Schoenberg said. He added that the task force for the planning of the day has not formulated any specific plans about the program. "We're not intending to bring the groups together during the day," Schoenberg said. "It's an educational day." Many of the changes stem from the results of the questionnaire distributed to students at the end of the day-long program and released in a report last week. The questionnaire covered five aspects of the day -- general impressions, content and flow of the day, overall evaluation and demographics. And the survey showed that while 12 percent said they felt the program was not useful, 84 percent said the program was interesting. "The responses are very positive," Schoenberg said. The majority of complaints about the program were generated from the opening session which involved a keynote address by novelist Maya Angelou and speeches by President Sheldon Hackney, Provost Michael Aiken, Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrisson and Black Student League President Buzz Thomas. In the surveys, students said the speeches, except for the keynote, were repetitive and too similar to the speeches heard the night before at convocation. And while most of the results differed only slightly over the two years, a higher percentage said they found it more difficult to meet people in the workshop -- 14 percent as compared to six percent -- and fewer students felt comfortable talking to people during the workshop -- 89 percent compared to 95 percent. White said more students indicated that they would be willing to participate in similar programs throughout the year. "We are going to provide students with suggestions of follow-up programs they can do on their own," White added. And while both Schoenberg and White said the word "diverse" is sometimes overused, they said they are encouraged by the program results. "[Diversity is] talked to death," White said. "But I see students talking among themselves and wrestling with these issues." "Sure people may wince when they hear the word 'diversity,' but are they running from the word or the concept behind the word?" Schoenberg added. Schoenberg encouraged students to volunteer as facilitators for the September program adding that all interested students should call him at 898-5044.

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