Promoting diversity on campus

No matter the color, no matter the belief, no matter the lifestyle, GCSU has its arms open to everyone.

The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity is committed to helping GCSU improve its acceptance and integration of other cultures on campus. After a study conducted by the Task Force on Race four years ago, the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity was created to help prevent discrimination whether through age, sex, religion, race, disability or other characteristics.

“Two of my close sorority sisters are Indian and Nigerian. Their nationality has never been a factor in our relationship,” Amanda Smith, a junior psychology major, said. “Learning about their cultures has expanded my understanding and acceptance of the global community.”

Although GCSU offers many organizations to promote cultural unity, the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity is always looking for ways to further educate the community.

The director of the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, Yves-Rose Saint-Dic, is striving to fulfill this mission.

“Our focus is not just on the number of people who are here but much more on the quality of their experience once they are here,” Saint-Dic said. “We believe that by creating a more inclusive campus, people of all backgrounds will accept our invitation, or even seek to be part of it.”

Not only do students want to spread diversity with these on-campus organizations, but courses such as America’s Diverse Cultural Heritage, African American culture and women in society are also offered at GCSU. Tina Yarborough, a professor of America’s Diverse Cultural Heritage at GCSU, educates her students on the importance of learning about other cultures.

“My personal vision for Georgia College is that our university will become one of the state’s most diverse, celebrating the contributions of all ethnicity’s to our nation, state, and community,” Yarborough said. “I want every student to feel comfortable and creative at GCSU so that they can grow and learn in every way possible.”

Many opportunities for growth are available at GCSU, among these are: the Women’s Resource Center, the Latino Student Association, the Inter-Views Alliance, the Pride Alliance, the Black Student Alliance and Hillel.

“Last semester, I participated with the Women’s Resource Center in the Clothesline Project,” Alix Erola-Rebellato, a junior nursing major, said. “I felt empowered as a woman to be able to share my voice with others willing to take a stand as well.”

Organizations on campus unite students, faculty and staff to the importance of diversity.

“There are many ways to increase more diversity campus-wide, but it begins when everyone, or at least a critical mass, integrate diversity in learning, teaching, programs/events, administrative processes, student organizations and in one’s own individual life,” Saint-Dic said.

Spreading diversity at GCSU is not solely the job of the minorities on campus, but rather the campus and community as a whole, she added. The GCSU Flagg Social Justice Legacy Award was also enacted to honor an individual from the university or Middle Georgia area for their efforts toward diversifying the community.

“The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity envisions the University as a place where equity and diversity are woven into the very fabric of the University’s operations, and where schools, administrative units, affiliate campuses, and external communities are partners in the work with shared responsibility for its success,” Saint-Dic said. “We hope that all members of the community – not just those who are the most directly affected – engage in works that promote diversity and social justice.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 11 2009. Filed under Perspectives. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry