Diversity

Hello all, todays Senate meeting began with a presentation/open discussion with Mr. Art Dean and Dr. David Owusu-Ansah who are both members of the office of the president. They spoke on issues of diversity on the campus and the future of the JMU community. The major issues talked about were the communication and representation that is needed to increase diversity, and the special details that entail the process of accepting the differences in people.

The very first discrepancy made was that the definition of diversity does not only refer to blacks/african americans, in this day and age it is however spread to people of all ethnic backgrounds ( i hope you all know that races don't exist ), sexual orientations, religions, and other such categories that may distinguish someone. I think the discussion of diversity that needs to start with our students on this campus, and it has to end with the a level of comfort that we may gain, each and everyone on this campus. Only when that happens will we build bridges in our social groups, clubs, and organizations. I must say that at JMU there is a lack of fluidity in most of the smaller non traditional organizations, and even between CMSS and the rest of the organizations on campus, and they must be given the proper respect to join along in the JMU community. This is an issue because representation and presence is lacking, and when the LEAST thing you can do is show up to a meeting, event, or program, and that doesn't happen, then what is to be expected ?

I have been active on campus in diversity issues, and although I don't have all the answers and don't agree with the many glorified institutionalized visions of increasing diversity; I strongly believe in increasing awareness and consciousness among students before we get ourselves in too deep of a hole.

This brings me to a side note, I think some very perceptive senators ( I am one of them hah) shall soon be working on a bill to recommend to the Gen Ed Dept to include a wider variety of diversity oriented courses and classes regarding non Western/European studies in the humanities ( some of cluster 2 and 4 ) in order to prepare our students for the globalization that has spread to every facet of our contemporary lives. If we don't learn about diversity through our campus, then let us at least develop a global opinion in our class rooms and try to understand that the world isn't limited to the distance between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans...

OK so I will pick up on this issue again but I gotta run...
There will be a part II to this discussion.