2008 Woodie Awards
Union brings issues of diversity to the forefront
Daina Amorosano & Dylan Breslin-Barnhart
Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: News
In October of 2006, a series of anonymous racist and homophobic emails threatened the life of a minority Union College student and galvanized the campus community into action. Hundreds of students and faculty protested in front of the Nott, and the Capital District's media closely covered the rally against racism. Tensions ran high as the College confronted intolerance head-on.
Since then, the administration has focused on diversifying Union and promoting an atmosphere of acceptance on campus. The Strategic Plan developed under President Stephan Ainlay devotes part of its framework to "optimizing students' academic quality, diversity and special talents." The admissions department, student groups, and professors are called upon to achieve this optimization.
So is it working? Senior Na'eem Crawford Muhammad, President of the African and Latino Alliance of Students (ALAS), does not feel that that the momentum of two years ago has died down but rather asserts that it "has been translated into deeds and action." According to Muhammad, students were influential in compelling the administration to address diversity on campus by creating two new positions, a Special Assistant to the President, Dr. Gretchel Tyson, and a Director of Multicultural Affairs.
Dr. Tyson will be present at the President's meetings and will have the opportunity to work directly with the administration and faculty. The Director of Multicultural Affairs will work closely with Union's multicultural clubs and handle issues more directly related to student affairs. As President of the oldest and largest club on campus that is dedicated to educating about the cultures of the African and Latino Diasporas, Muhammad works hard to broaden the horizons of the student body through student-led discussions and by arranging relevant guest speakers to come to Union.
Besides the efforts of the administration and groups like ALAS, the Admissions Office has also been working to accomplish the College's goals for diversity. According to Dean of Admissions Ann Fleming Brown, "Our goals support the institutional goals," many of which are enumerated in the Strategic Plan. When selecting each new class, the Admissions Office emphasizes both diversity and regional representation and aims to achieve a balance of men and women.
Since then, the administration has focused on diversifying Union and promoting an atmosphere of acceptance on campus. The Strategic Plan developed under President Stephan Ainlay devotes part of its framework to "optimizing students' academic quality, diversity and special talents." The admissions department, student groups, and professors are called upon to achieve this optimization.
So is it working? Senior Na'eem Crawford Muhammad, President of the African and Latino Alliance of Students (ALAS), does not feel that that the momentum of two years ago has died down but rather asserts that it "has been translated into deeds and action." According to Muhammad, students were influential in compelling the administration to address diversity on campus by creating two new positions, a Special Assistant to the President, Dr. Gretchel Tyson, and a Director of Multicultural Affairs.
Dr. Tyson will be present at the President's meetings and will have the opportunity to work directly with the administration and faculty. The Director of Multicultural Affairs will work closely with Union's multicultural clubs and handle issues more directly related to student affairs. As President of the oldest and largest club on campus that is dedicated to educating about the cultures of the African and Latino Diasporas, Muhammad works hard to broaden the horizons of the student body through student-led discussions and by arranging relevant guest speakers to come to Union.
Besides the efforts of the administration and groups like ALAS, the Admissions Office has also been working to accomplish the College's goals for diversity. According to Dean of Admissions Ann Fleming Brown, "Our goals support the institutional goals," many of which are enumerated in the Strategic Plan. When selecting each new class, the Admissions Office emphasizes both diversity and regional representation and aims to achieve a balance of men and women.
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John Smith
posted 5/03/08 @ 2:38 PM EST
It's most likely that these sensationalist emails, which have the entire school up in arms is really just a straw man hoax. Concocted from the playbook of an activist liberal agenda, it wouldn't be surprising to see that the perpetrator was actually a member of one of these "oprressed" groups, perhaps even faculty. (Continued…)
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