Commitment to diversity remains a top priority for IU

A seed was planted on October 13, 1992. \nIn hopes of making IU a more productive learning environment, the IU board of trustees adopted the Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Policy. While it may not be obvious, statistics from the 2003 Report on the Status of Minorities at IU show change has occurred. IU President Adam Herbert gave the trustees a copy of the report at the board's last meeting. \n"The University is doing a good job about trying to get a more diverse student body," trustee Stephen Backer said. "We had certain initiatives to do this." \nAlthough there have been changes, according to the report on diversity, the fabric of IU is still predominantly white. In 2002, black students made up just over 6.7 percent of IU's total population. Latinos made up about 2.5 percent, and Asian-Americans made up only approximately 2.25 percent, according to the report.\nThe annual report, made by the Office of the Vice President for Student Development and Diversity, reveals that minority student enrollment has increased 21 percent since 1993. In particular, Latino student enrollment has increased 39 percent, and African-American enrollment and Asian-American enrollment have both increased by more than 15 percent.\nInterim Vice Chancellor for Academic Support and Diversity Edwardo Rhodes said these kinds of changes are not only good for campus life, but essential for the learning experience.\n"It does make a difference in the richness of the learning experience," he said. "It should become the fabric of the organization."\nRhodes emphasized it's not just his responsibility or that of the Office of Admissions. He said it's the responsibility of everyone in the community and that without involvement, IU will be missing out.\n"We have to get individual departments and units working together to move them forward in the right direction," he said. "These concerns need to move to the mainstream of campus life."\nAlong with Rhodes, Pamela Freeman, chairperson of the Commission on Multicultural Understanding has actively promoted diversity and equality since 1985. She said while there is a long road ahead, looking back at the past decade, real improvements have been made.\n"It's a long-term goal," she said. "I think the affirmative action policies help people think in terms of 'are we really being fair.' Without something like that in place, I think it's easy to forget."\nFreeman said some feel diversity is not important, and she calls out to them hoping they become enlightened.\n"The world is shrinking," Freeman said. "Every area is getting more diverse. For someone to say they don't care about it shows shortsightedness and ignorance."\nAlthough Freeman criticized some of the uninvolved, she commended the people who have been involved and said IU is in a good place to continue strengthening and growing.\n"We've actually got a head start on other campuses," she said. "We're very rich in music, art and culture."\nLillian Casillas, director of the Latino Cultural Center, works every day to teach people about culture and heritage. Casillas, who attended both undergraduate and graduate school at IU, said she has enjoyed watching the Latino population grow over the years.\n"When I was in undergraduate school, there were definitely a lot fewer Latinos," she said. "I remember there were not nearly as many students, faculty and staff."\nAlong with the growth and prosperity of her own culture, Casillas said she works closely with other cultures to improve the diversity of campus.\n"A lot of people think we are segregated, but we work closely with the Black Culture Center and the Asian Culture Center," she said. "We actually do programming together to show our connections between groups."\nCasillas added the doors to the Latino Cultural Center are open to anyone, noting the majority of its visitors are non-Latinos.\n"It's important for students to feel a sense of belonging," she said. "We provide a place to celebrate culture."\n-- Contact staff writer Jess Huffman at jerhuffm@indiana.edu.