Faculty members focus on diversity plan, advancement of SJSU's commitment to it
Allie Figures
Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: News
In conjunction with International Week, six SJSU faculty and staff members met to discuss the Campus Diversity Master Plan Tuesday afternoon.
Beginning in 2007 under former SJSU president Don Kassing, the plan, headed by Rona Halualani, director of institutional planning and inclusive excellence, is a nationwide effort at higher institutions to attract and utilize diversity on college campus.
According to the U.S. News and World Report, SJSU is ranked as the 12th most diverse campus on the West Coast, up two places from 14th in 2007.
"There is a presumption that the presence of diversity is enough," Halualani said. "Western universities do not invest in diversity because it is already there."
A committee has been made up of SJSU members, faculty and staff. Divided into three smaller groups, the committee is trying to tackle the diversity needs on campus, including engagement in diversity, campus climate and diversifying faculty.
"I think we are already doing a great job at being a diverse campus," said Myloe Esquivel, a sophomore hospitality, recreation and tourism management major.
Halualani said Kassing made a commitment to diversity because the request came from within the campus.
"Students, faculty and campus members want to see something more happen here with all of the resources we have," she said. "This entire process is emergent from the actual campus community."
The definition of diversity, as established by the committee, is more than just the presence of different cultures, socioeconomic levels and sexualities.
"True diversity lies in the intersecting of all of the groups," she said.
"I feel like our campus is a melting pot for all people from different backgrounds," said Chelsea Gill, a junior public relations major.
The plan for diversity is set to extend into the classroom and the curriculum. General education and specialized leadership courses are being proposed by the committee in an attempt to entice students to get involved, said associate professor Gonzaga da Gama.
Beginning in 2007 under former SJSU president Don Kassing, the plan, headed by Rona Halualani, director of institutional planning and inclusive excellence, is a nationwide effort at higher institutions to attract and utilize diversity on college campus.
According to the U.S. News and World Report, SJSU is ranked as the 12th most diverse campus on the West Coast, up two places from 14th in 2007.
"There is a presumption that the presence of diversity is enough," Halualani said. "Western universities do not invest in diversity because it is already there."
A committee has been made up of SJSU members, faculty and staff. Divided into three smaller groups, the committee is trying to tackle the diversity needs on campus, including engagement in diversity, campus climate and diversifying faculty.
"I think we are already doing a great job at being a diverse campus," said Myloe Esquivel, a sophomore hospitality, recreation and tourism management major.
Halualani said Kassing made a commitment to diversity because the request came from within the campus.
"Students, faculty and campus members want to see something more happen here with all of the resources we have," she said. "This entire process is emergent from the actual campus community."
The definition of diversity, as established by the committee, is more than just the presence of different cultures, socioeconomic levels and sexualities.
"True diversity lies in the intersecting of all of the groups," she said.
"I feel like our campus is a melting pot for all people from different backgrounds," said Chelsea Gill, a junior public relations major.
The plan for diversity is set to extend into the classroom and the curriculum. General education and specialized leadership courses are being proposed by the committee in an attempt to entice students to get involved, said associate professor Gonzaga da Gama.
Be the first to comment on this story