classes such as African -American Literature. But the efforts to teach diversity is not enough if the student population is not diverse. Students seem to feel that the University could do a better job at recruiting different people and making them feel at home, instead of simply teaching about them. Some staff and facullty were even afraid of being interviewed concerning the subject of diversity. The students, however, were very well spoken on the subject. The Journalistic Writing Class members who contributed to this project are: Some students at Penn State Harrisburg believe the campus is filled with different cultures and ethnicities, while others say that there is definitely not enough diversity at all. Some feel that there is too much separation between cultures and that there should be more integration among various groups. "I think there should be more integration within student activities and organizations and less separation between them, such as Student Government and the Black Student Government," Barbara Allen, a finance major, said. "These two organizations may work better integrated then separated. I don't think it is actually the school's problem, but the students' problem." Martha Arkin, an environmental engineering student, said that there is cultures and that Penn State Harrisburg should work towards this integration. There are those who feel that there are not enough programs to encourage diversity Ray Rose, Graduate Student, said he was surprised to see so few minorities in a school so close to Harrisburg, which has a lot of minorities. He added that he expected there would be more diversity. However, there are also people who believe that Penn State Harrisburg is rich with diversity. Danielle Caltrider, an education major, said she believes that teachers are trying to teach diversity. She added that she has learned more about diversity through her education classes than she has her whole life Unfortunately, many staff members would not comment about diversity on campus. The former head to the Diversity Committee declined to be interviewed because he said he was up for tenure. Kimberly Roach, an African American communications major from West Philadelphia, resiizes that there is very little diversity hers but it is safe' than it is at home. "A lot of people think that since they don't live in the city, what happens there does not affect them," she said Kimberly said that things in the city have gotten worse over the last few years. "I saw someone get shot on my own street," she said. "What you have are people who are so stuck on drugs that they will shoot you over anything." Kimberly also said that people are so afraid they stay inside their houses. These problems we spreading into other communities, and even in the rural towns, she said. Niki Bupp Chris McCorkel Reginald Duncan Yvette Martin Amy Fleagle Cathy Nolan Erik Hein Priscilla Page Diana lacono Kimberly Roach David Jennings Ed Wevodau Stephanie Jones Jeff Wittmaier Joy Maatman John Zimmerman DISTRIBUTIONS, TOTAL CREDIT ENROLLMENTS IOOOO OO.O' 'all Semester 1994 by Location ASIAN or WHITE NON AFRICAN PACIFIC (non- RESIDENT N AMERICAN ISLANDER HISPANIC Hispanic) ALIEN UNIDENTFD TOTAL 44 60 50 1350 3 216 104 78 37 3158 27 219 126 65 42 2788 2 61 82 6 7 622 1 116 31 19 11 1003 2 41 227 156 65 1745 2 757 1068 1691 782 31852 1938 821 43 46 35 1588 2 151 PSU STUDENTS, 6,086 ARE OTHER THAN WHITE AMERICAN STUDENTS. SPECIAL FEATURE Diana lacono Staff Writer r L Kristine Seyler, Management major, said, "I feel that Penn State is diversified, both in age, - there are some older people here and younger, and also the cultural differences, whether it be black, Asian, or what have you. There's just not a purely white atmosphere." 1723 3628 3090 837 1111 2958 38219 1868 I "I think the wish-list here is that everybody feels as if they are a part of the institution," Joan Swetz, International Student and I Education Abroad Adviser, said. 11 "The reality is that it is not I necessarily so." I The views of the PSH community are varied when it comes to cultural diversity on campus. However, more than half of the students who were interviewed said that the campus lacked cultural diversity. Dorsey Meredith, junior, Journalism major, thinks this campus is very conservative. "I can see conservatism. I can see 'Joe Paterno' (in mentality). Their guidelines are unchangeable," said Meredith. Chante' Lampton, an African American Graduate student, said she strongly believes that Penn State Harrisburg lacks diversity. "Penn State's diversity image is dull," she said. "Iwould go so far as to say that campus is not diverse. Diversity goes farther than sprinkling the population with a few faces of color. Diversity is about culture, life experiences and world views. Penn State needs to make a serious concerted effort. The lip-service that is paid to • issue makes it an empty promise." ley, Darnell Sherrod and Ronald Redden, ican American students, agree with ,ents. my opinion, there are different ethnic groups us but there isn't enough to call this campus ' Stockley explained. As in any diversity, there is room for ~ m ent," Sherrod said. Generally speaking, it is with the faculty members, but from my standpoint need African American teachers." "It is very hard for students of a non-white status to anything with members of their own race when•theyre campus," Redden added. Jeanice Lue, president of the Black Student Union (BSU), said she believes that Penn State Harrisburg enrolls many minority groups, but not on a large scale. "There is the BSU and International Affairs Association (lAA)," Lue said. "There is international flavored lunches with different countries represented. But the minority organizations do not get a lot of funding university to promote diverse programs." senior Jayna Morgey scanned the cafeteria during lunch, she noticed the lack of diversity within it. I think of the minority students that I know, they !rMfl positive role models. However, there should be more," she added. There are also several students who said that there is nothing wrong with the diversity on campus. Kei Fuller, an African American resident assistant in Meade Heights, views PSU as a diverse community. "I think Penn State Harrisburg has a diverse population for a campus this size. I feel there could be more efforts made to promote more diversity such as a Multi-Cultural Day," Fuller said. John Weigley, senior, said he believes that African Americans are fairly represented on campus and the campus does not lack diversity. "There are many activities that pertain to understanding, such as guest speakers, the serving of different types of food and other various activities," said Weigley. Keith Ohlinger, senior, agrees with Weigley's comment. "I already feel the campus is very diverse. The campus could have special meals for sale and there could be campus and club sponsorship of contests and giveaways," he added. Although there were a couple people who believed that there is a fair amount of diversity on campus, the majority of the people feel as though a change is needed to create a more diverse atmosphere. "There should be much more recruitment of Asians, African Americans and Latinos, " she said. Reginald Van Duncan Staff Writer
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