The Pendulum NEWS Thursday, November 14, 2002 •Page 7
Diversity forum resuits in more ta\W than action
Students who have had serious conversations with students
of a different race/ ethnicity
Campus envflrcximent encourages contact among students from all backgrounds
^ ti
Diversity from page 1
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One student at the forum said this has
a lot to do with visibility on campus and
the already low enrollment of black stu
dents, which stands at 277. When presen
tations involving Greek Life are given to
classes, the majority of time is spent dis
cussing the fraternities and sororities
with higher numbers, according to stu
dents at the forum. These do not include
the NPHC fraternities and sororities.
Students also cited the predominantly
white Interfraternity Council weekend
parties as reasons for low numbers of
students in NPHC fraternities and soror
ities. The largest NPHC organization.
Delta Sigma Theta, has 16 members,
compared with the largest Panhellenic
Council organization. Phi Mu, which has
113 members. An organization with 16
members is not large enough to hold a
house, so the NPHC groups lack recogni
tion in Loy Center.
While students are encouraged to join
a particular Greek organization based on
what will best suit them, students said
there is some pressure to join a sorority
or fraternity based on historical race
affiliation. Sophomore Darris Means
said when he joined Pi Kappa Phi instead
of a NPHC fraternity he heard that many
of his friends began talking about his
decision to join the historically white
fraternity.
Junior Elliott Rushing said the deci
sion to join an organization in
Interfraternity Council is not looked
down on by all black students. But he
asks, “Is that the right thing to do?”
According to the National Survey of
Student Engagement, 52 percent of Elon
students have had a serious, meaningful
conversation with a student of a different
race. The same study showed that 47 per
cent of students believe Elon s campus
environment encourages contact among
students from different backgrounds.
Students at the forum said not all Elon
students seek diversity. “What do we do
with people who think like this?
Rushing asked.
Black students shared stories of dis
crimination and general ignorance dur
ing the forum. Means said he often feels
like he excels in the classroom and m
extracurricular activities as an attempt to
represent his race. “In a small population
you carry the weight of the race on your
back,” Means said.
“You shouldn’t have to represent the
black race,” junior Latoya Marcus coun
tered. But students pointed out that if
black students are not representing their
race, they are often singled out as the
exception. Comments such as, “You are
not like the rest of them,” referring to
black Americans in jail or peddling
drugs, lead others to believe they are the
exception rather than the rule. Students
voiced concern that people make defen
sive comments without realizing the
weight of their words.
Students also questioned the universi
ty s dedication to the topic of diversity.
Is It a priority? Nationally, 11 percent of
students at colleges and universities are
black, compared to 6.3 percent of Elon’s
total enrollment. While percentages may
not seem significant, Rushing points out
that it is the number of students that
stand out. “Here, it is on a smaller
scale,” he said, referring to the 277 black
students out of 4,432 total enrollment.
But Smith Jackson, vice president and
dean of Student Life, said diversity is a
priority for the university. “The universi
ty is saying diversity is important,” he
said. “We want students to feel comfort
able, mingle and appreciate each other.”
While the main issues raised seemed
to be black and white, many students
voiced concerns about the representation
of other races and religions at the forum.
“Where are our Asian Americans?” one
student asked, referring to the Asian pop
ulation at Elon, which accounts for 0.7
percent of total enrollment, with 33 stu
dents on campus.
Diversity may not be a black and
white issue, but the forum brought to
light many concerns regarding relation
ships between black students and white
students and faculty. “Throughout histo
ry it has been just black and white,”
Rushing said. But he said people under
standing people should define diversity.
“Not until you understand other cultures
will you be diverse,” he said.
The freshman core class, the Global
Experience, was cited as a class that does
not offer diverse views or ideas. Students
said a medium should be found between
what is being taught and what the institu
tion is doing. They said they believe peo
ple don’t feel they have access to events
that will be dominated by another race,
such as Black Cultural Society dinners.
While a lot was said about diversity,
many students said they were “preaching
to the choir.” While students talked,
many wanted instant solutions. But the
point was addressed that change will not
come until people are willing to teach
and people are willing to learn.
Christian Wiggins, Student
Government Association president, said
he wants SGA to stay in contact with the
Office of Multicultural Affairs, attending
more events and offering to co-sponsor
many of them. “I would also like to work
with administration on diversity aware
ness,” Wiggins said, adding he would
like to incorporate a diversity discussion
into a possible roundtable lunch with
faculty and staff. “It’s a challenge,” he
said, questioning how to get more
minorities on Elon’s campus. To recruit
more students, Elon needs more money.
The percentage of alumni who contribute
to the university’s endowment is larger at
other institutions, so Elon does not have
as much money to spend on recruiting
minority students, Wiggins said.
Shukis left students with a look
toward the future of racial unity. “I chal
lenge each of you to change your
worlds.”
Contact Erin Cunningham at pendu-
lum@elon.edu or 278-7247.