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Embracing a Broad Cultural Landscape Redefines Opportunity for All
July 19, 2007
BACK-TO-SCHOOL NEWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
MOSCOW, Idaho – University populations can seem like small cities, with populations ranging into the tens of thousands. Often, these small cities reflect the make-up of their surrounding populations. But university communities – like the University of Idaho – also are poised to enhance diversity on campus, in local communities and in states and regions. Universities also can bring expert insight into answering the question: What is diversity and why is it important?
"Diversity is important because we want to create an environment that is welcoming to all people so they want to come to the University of Idaho and stay," said Mark Edwards, the university's director for diversity and community. "Even if we did nothing at all, diversity in the student body would continue to grow."
The dictionary defines diversity as “differing from one another” or “composed of unlike elements or qualities.” In short, diversity is more than just the color of skin or the country of origin. It encompasses differences in faith and religion, disabilities, sexuality, economic background, political leanings and more.
According to Edwards, the University of Idaho’s minority statistics changed dramatically from 1996 to 2006. In that time period, the number of African American students increased 50 percent, Hispanic enrollment numbers were up more than 53 percent, Asian/Pacific Islander numbers have increased almost 20 percent and American Indian enrollees show a 12 percent growth. In that same 10-year period, the number of international students at the university increased by 32 percent.
"Those changes came about without much effort to increase diverse populations," said Edwards, who joined the university in January 2007. He oversees university and community programs to support enrichment of the learning environment through diversity, and is tasked with fully addressing the opportunities and barriers to a welcoming and supportive university community.
"Diversity is one of the University of Idaho's top priorities,” he said. “While that word sounds good, we need to get beyond the warm-fuzzy feeling and take some action," said Edwards. "Yes, numbers are important, but more important is a change in mind-set; the goal is to educate the youth of Idaho."
Edwards’ goal is to help prepare students to thrive in the new world landscape. "Students need to leave this campus prepared to face a global environment, to work and engage with people from all walks of life. We are doing them a disservice if they blindly go through college without learning this critical component of life," he said.
Edwards is the first in a series of hires by the university to pave the way in its strategic plan to create a diverse and welcoming environment. Steve Martin, a member of the Muscogee Creek tribe, joined the university this month as the new director of the University of Idaho’s Native American Student Center. He will develop and oversee academic and personal development programs for Native American students, including education and career planning, transition assistance and coordinating cultural activities. He is responsible for attracting, recruiting and retaining Native American students.
"The University of Idaho has put great strategies in place. The follow-through is what's important now," said Martin. "We are working to address the beliefs, behaviors and practices of people on campus, because great things come with diversity."
Arthur Taylor, the university's new tribal liaison, will arrive at the university in early August. He will develop culturally sensitive and mutually beneficial protocols for relationships, communication and projects between the University of Idaho and Native American tribes. He also will work to create effective services for recruiting and retaining Native American students.
In addition to key leadership and faculty, the university is making a concerted effort to attract staff to help recruit, mentor and support students of diverse backgrounds. "University of Idaho staff are the first point and last point of contact with students and have a major role in fostering a positive, welcoming environment to all students," said Dan Noble, chair of Staff Affairs at the University of Idaho and a member of the President's Cabinet. "It is these connections between students and staff that help to foster the sense of community, the 'home away from home' and the positive collegiate experience that a residential campus provides. A more diverse staff will continue to advance these positive interactions."
Beyond the employees that are working to create a diverse climate, many programs have been implemented to encompass cultural dimensions – programs that are reflective of the diverse body of students, staff and faculty at the University of Idaho.
* In 2006, University of Idaho students approved a $2 fee to support diversity initiatives on campus; the fee raises and earmarks approximately $35,000 each year to support diversity efforts. In the first year of the diversity initiative, students identified a multicultural student center on campus as a top priority for funding. The center opened in spring 2007. The University of Idaho campus also houses a Native American Center.
* The university's Diversity Initiative Growth Grants (DIGG) program encourages diversity projects and programs. In the 2006-07 academic year, the university provided $50,000 to support creative program ideas submitted by faculty, students or campus organizations that align with the university's Diversity Plan.
* The College Assistant Migrant Program (CAMP) assists students who are migrant or seasonal farm workers or children of migrant farm workers. This year, the University of Idaho graduated a record number of CAMP students – a total of 28. Of those, 13 had multiple degrees – either double majors or minors and one triple major. As engineers, teachers, professionals in criminal justice and more, they are examples of what can come about by bridging cultural differences.
*The university's Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Justice Studies offers a Certificate of Completion in Diversity and Stratification. The interdisciplinary certificate program provides an avenue for students, professionals and community members to obtain comprehensive, university-centered diversity training and learning through classroom, online, workshop, internship and service learning formats.
*The Idaho Assistive Technology Loan Program at the University of Idaho’s Center on Disabilities and Human Development recently surpassed the million dollar mark in loans made to Idahoans with disabilities and their families for the purchase of assistive technology. Assistive technology includes a wide variety of items, such as walkers, scooters, accessible showers and bathtubs, wheelchair ramps, specialized computers, home accessibility modifications and adapted vehicles.
*The College of Law's Tribal and Immigration Clinic educates students to become effective lawyers while becoming more sensitive people. Among the diverse services, students provide pro-bono representation to immigrants in deportation proceedings before immigration judges, the Board of Immigration Appeals and the federal courts. Law students, through the clinic, also advocate for immigrants in their applications for permanent residence, citizenship and political asylum. Clinic students learn how to deal sensitively with clients from other cultures that have experienced trauma, while simultaneously drawing information strong enough – and credible enough – to help clients move beyond that trauma.
"We're still in the early stages of integrating diversity," said Edwards. "We celebrate the right stuff on the right days with the three F's: fun, food and festivities. But eating that food is not changing and integrating the campus as a whole. It will take time, but we're on the right track. We now are looking at strategies and practices that will continue to move the university forward in our efforts to increase diversity."
Martin agrees. "We need to move beyond routines – beyond the same events that are celebrated year after year," he said. "We can't become stagnant in our efforts; diversity always is ongoing."
He said that as diversity is addressed at the university, it will spill out into the community and then the state. "It's a chain reaction with only positive implications."
For more information about the University of Idaho's diversity initiatives, visit www.uihome.uidaho.edu/diversity.
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About the University of Idaho
Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract nearly $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.
Contact: Joni Kirk, University Communications, (208) 885-7725, joni@uidaho.edu
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