Students, statistics attest to diversity at UNCG

It's a fact. UNCG is the most diverse of the UNC systems predominantly white schools.

Its high rates of minority retention were highlighted during a WUNC radio show and won Chancellor Sullivan an award for distinguished Citizenship from the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce.

In the wake of the Jan. 20 physical altercation between Palestinian college students and football players on Guilford College's campus, the question has been raised on whether diversity is a stepping stone or a stumbling block.

"I really believe that in the end [diversity] helps us," said sophomore Jeremy Beane, who felt that the altercation looked like a hate crime, though it is too soon to determine the incident's true nature according to a FAQ page about the incident posted on Guilford College's website.

"I don't think diversity is ever a problem, I think people ignoring it or not accepting it is a problem," said junior Kia Davis.

"I really appreciate the Neo-Black Society and Gospel Choir," Davis added. "I don't go home often, I don't go to church often, and they remind me of home and those things that I miss about home."

"Personally I can't live without diversity," said junior Techeeyaw Anderson, a Chicago native who attributed her appreciation of diversity the entire city's demographics.

"[Diversity] is applied to everything," continued Anderson, a senior International Business Studies major. "When you invest in stocks and bonds, what do they tell you? Diversify your bonds, diversify your stocks."

Erika Fox, a junior commuter student, said that diversity could be both good and bad.

"I think it depends on what the differences are and I think it depends on how you were raised," said Fox, who mentioned that upbringing might have come in to play in the Guilford College incident. "That could have solved it a different way."

"Part of getting an education isn't just what you pick up from textbooks but its learning to think and learning to evaluate," said Dr. Shelly Brown, a UNCG sociology professor who mentioned her hopes that higher education gave students a better view of diversity in American society. "Students get to educate other students on the issues."

Brown agreed that UNCG was diverse and the she saw diversity along ethnic and socio-economic lines.

"I hope that kids that come from sheltered backgrounds get here and try to broaden their minds."

It may have a lot to do with that background, however. Theodora Onochie, a junior accounting major from Nigeria said that UNCG had some diversity "but not that much." Onochie expressed she'd like to join a group for African-American students, and would that an African student organization would be a welcome addition to the campus.

"[Diversity] offers and contributes a lot to campus conversation," said Audrey Daniel, Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. The Office of Multicultural Affairs offers programming and educational experiences to "foster and cultivate appreciation of different cultural groups … The more that we understand and celebrate each other's differences, I think it leads to a better community."

"It's an intentional kind of thing," said Dr. Cynthia Farris of UNCG's diverse demographics. Farris serves as the Associate Provost for Enrollment Services, a division which includes departments like Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid, and Student Academic services.

According to the undergraduate headcount for Fall 2006, UNCG's undergraduate population is approximately 2.4 percent Hispanic, 4.7 percent unknown, 69 percent Caucasian, a half percent American Indian, 4 percent Asian/ Pacific Islander, and 20 percent African American.

"From the Chancellor down, it's always been an important goal for us to increase diversity," Farris continued, mentioning that multiculturalism was an important factor in admissions events and employed by the university to encourage students that they can find a fit at UNCG.

"I have seen diversity change a whole lot, from the standpoint of gender mix, the ethnic mix, it's just wonderful," Farris said.

Farris has worked for the university for eight years, and also received her Masters and Doctorate from UNCG. When asked about the Guilford College incident, Farris called it "tragedy" and also said that it could serve as a "learning opportunity" for Guilford College.

"I hope that this would be a teachable moment for students, faculty, and staff to reflect on who they are and who they should be," said Farris. "The more diverse that we are, the richer our educational experience is."