On Jan. 19, Tavis Smiley and Cornel West gave a speech at Clowes  Memorial Hall about the dangers of income inequality.
“[I]t shows our dedication to diversifying our university,” President Jim Danko said of the event. The speakers showed the nation that Butler is a university that strives for diversity.
I, for one, am very hopeful about the steps the administration is taking with regard to this goal.
Tuition is rising across the nation, and Butler is no exception.
It would be marvelous to see the administration work to make sure that this looming socioeconomic barrier is broken.
Economic class is one area of diversity that is threatened in most higher education these days.
In a city that is 25 percent African-American and 10 percent Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, I am very interested to hear how Butler plans to encourage racial diversity in the student body.
The Collegian reported last year in “Being Black at Butler”, Feb. 2012, that less than 4 percent of Butler students identify as African-American.
This university’s commitment to diversity should be celebrated in the same ways that Smiley and West talked about their own cause.
The community should commend Butler’s goals—and expect results.
Diversity cannot magically be increased, of course.
The university can demonstrate its programs and efforts to the community.
Demanding solutions does not require people to offer their own,  West said.
The administration has tons of resources at its fingertips.
If diversity is truly a priority, the administration should reach out to brilliant thinkers in this country to help make that priority a reality.
Danko is already undertaking the first steps toward this.
The administration has put together a commission to investigate issues and policies that can help make Butler less monochromatic.
The day the goal of diversification comes true at Butler will be truly beautiful.
So here’s to hoping this initiative has more than symbolic meaning.
Let us all make efforts to keep our goals grounded in real progress and not merely in statements and promises.

Butler University’s goal of diversity is appreciated by students but is not as recognizable on campus as the administration thinks it should be.

The Taste of Diversity dinner was held last week and encouraged students to “dive into Butler’s diversity.”

The gathering featured a variety of international foods, including Indian, Thai, Moroccan, Mexican, Dominican and Cuban.

Butler has not had a Moroccan, Dominican or Cuban student in at least the last decade, according to enrollment statistics from the Office of Diversity.

Based on last year’s enrollment, the combination of Indian, Thai and Mexican students made up 0.004 percent of the total student body.

Butler’s top three most-represented countries, outside of the United States, are India, England and Canada.

In fact, the total percentage of minorities enrolled at Butler is less than 10 percent and has not surpassed that in the past 10 years.

“I feel bad saying that I don’t notice much diversity,” freshman Kelsey Malcom said, “but walking around campus, it is obvious that it’s not as prevalent at Butler.”

Students involved in organizations at Butler try to promote the idea of diversity throughout campus.

“Butler does have great resources for diversity, and what I try to do with those resources is increase programs and create an environment where we, as a student body, value diversity,” said UnoBlessed Coons, vice president of diversity for the Student Government Association.

Freshman Brandon Shannon said he thinks the incorporation of diversity should be a collaborative effort.

“Becoming a more-diverse campus is not totally on the admissions office, but also on the students to embrace the idea,” Shannon said.

Tom Weede, vice president for enrollment management, said that recent reductions in scholarship funds have made it harder to provide to students from diverse backgrounds, but that has not stopped the passion for it.

The state of Indiana cut its minortiy scholarship funds from $11,000 to $7,000, so some families can simply no longer afford Butler.

However, administrators are still searching for new ways to cut costs so they can help families in tough financial situations.

“We want a multicultural student body because it adds to everyone’s education,” Weede said. “It allows students to have a fulfilling conversation with individuals from all different backgrounds.”

Both the student leaders and the administration say the push toward diversity will continue to be their focus. But statistics show that the task ahead is a difficult one.

“I expect more and have been working with the staff,” Weede said. “It is like what Yoda said: ‘Don’t try. Do.’ And that’s where we need to be more successful.”

About 51 percent of students disagree that Butler University is diverse,  according to results from a new survey by  Student Affairs.

About 37 percent somewhat disagreed that Butler is diverse, and 14 percent strongly disagreed with that statement.

The survey gauged Butler’s diversity and students’ perspective on campus atmosphere.

There were 527 students who participated in the poll. Seventy percent were women and 29 percent were men.

A fifth to a quarter of each class was represented, according to the study.

Student Government Association President-Elect Mike Keller said this is because people only think of diversity as involving race.

“Diversity is a broad definition,” Keller said. “It was intended for broader areas other than race.”

Dean of Student Life Irene Stevens oversees the committee responsible for assessing the data. She said there are a number of things the campus can improve upon.

“We need to diversify campus more through admissions, and then help individuals take advantage of cultural-related activities,” Stevens said. “When students get into the real world it’s a lot more diverse than Butler.”

Stevens said everyone has the ability to act as an ambassador for the university, which will help diversify campus.

“Students, faculty and staff are all involved in encouraging diversity,” Stevens said.

Keller said there are two areas responsible for addressing these issues: admissions and organizations on campus.

“Admissions can target more people from diverse backgrounds,” Keller said. “R.E.A.C.H. and SGA are responsible for highlighting different cultures, which comes from programming.”

Twenty-eight percent of respondents participated in diversity-related activities, which were labeled a main point in the survey’s conclusion.

Freshman pharmacy major Eric Chen said as a minority student he has not attended a “diversity-related” activity because he said it brings attention to students’ minority status.

“I think these activities make minorities feel uncomfortable,” Chen said. “The best way to make a minority student feel comfortable is to treat them as any other person.

“Minorities don’t need any preferential treatment.”

Stevens said the administration is meeting with SGA over the summer to address the findings. Focus groups will also be formed to further explore students’ perspectives, Stevens said.

Keller said the low participation in diversity-related activities is due to the target audience of R.E.A.C.H.’s programming.

“People assume diversity programming is only for minorities,” Keller said. “Next year we will try to market it to a broader audience.”

One of the areas of greatest improvement was the number of respondents who described the university as “welcoming.”

Eighty percent of respondents said Butler is “very welcoming,” which is a 6 percent improvement from 2009.

Stevens said this is due to what she described as the university’s “culture of respect.”

“We want to create a university that’s welcoming,” Stevens said. “We expect that from all of Butler University.”

Politically, the survey found most students to be moderates, followed by conservatives and liberals, with 43 percent, 30 percent and 23 percent, respectively.

Keller said it is SGA’s responsibility to encourage political discussion on campus.

“Campus is stronger when people are talking,” Keller said. “We need political discussion.”

On April 18, Butler University’s Office of Student Affairs released the numbers from  its diversity survey.

The data revealed that most Butler students do not believe the school is very diverse.

Specifically, 71 percent of students of color and/or gay and lesbian students thought this.

If students, faculty and staff want to see a more inclusive university, everyone needs to take responsibility and not simply “encourage” diversity.

Students of diverse backgrounds are uniquely positioned to see this in action.

Each member of the community—from administrators to students—must take action to see a more respectful, diverse community at Butler.

Butler’s public relations materials talk about encouraging a worldview that considers other cultures and perspectives equal.

The community should not take these statistics negatively though.

Whether students think so or not, the university is not very diverse.

When respondents see that, the community demonstrates self-awareness.

And that means we have the opportunity to improve.

The university may indeed want to see more diversity.

But when the community stays relatively the same, perhaps inclination is not enough.

Everyone needs to take the commitment to diversity beyond simply tolerating others or wanting more obvious examples of multicultural students.

In other words, Butler and the people who make up the university all need to improve the school with direct action.

That starts with little gestures.

The university should consider converting some of the existing restrooms on campus into gender-neutral ones.

Any sort of deliberate move to include people of differing backgrounds speaks louder than mission statements do.

The university needs to find ways to work with the community and make Butler less of an island.

The bubble should not have such tough boundaries.

But a big part of responsibility falls on every student as well—myself included.

Students answered their surveys by saying that as few as 28 percent participate in diversity events.

This is unacceptable, especially when so many respondents say they want to see more diversity.

All of us, need to get involved.

Attend the events and take advantage of all the programs Butler offers.

Our community demonstrates over and over again that philanthropy and fundraisers are important.

Butler students should channel that energy to improve things close to home as well.

A more inclusive community makes everyone stronger.

And the events themselves help allies and activists unite over their common goals.

Any effort to build community support is better than nothing.

So the students must take advantage of the groups and events on campus.

And the university absolutely must do its part to include people of diverse backgrounds through accessible facilities and programs.

Next year’s team of seven executives in Student Government Association is almost complete, but President-elect Mike Keller is still looking for one more.

The SGA  vice president of diversity position, one of six vice presidential positions, remains vacant because no one has applied.

While the position remains empty, the remaining vice presidential positions and parliamentarian position are filled.

Members of assembly appointed Scott Nemeth to act as the vice president of administration. Nemeth will also act as the chair of the Council on Presidential Affairs.

Members of assembly also appointed Derek Friederich to act as the vice president of finance. Friederich will oversee the budget and the grants committee.

Keller appointed Emily Burgoyne as vice president of public relations. Burgoyne will oversee the organization’s advertising.

Keller chose Stevan Tomich as next year’s vice president of operations. Tomich will oversee the SGA shuttle and the day-to-day operation of the organization.

Marielle Slagel was appointed by Keller to act as the vice president of programming. She will oversee more than half of SGA’s budget, which funds SGA-sponsored events throughout the year.

Keller appointed Craig Fisher to act as parliamentarian. Fisher will oversee the procedure in weekly assembly.

One of the requirements of running for the empty VP of Diversity position is serving on REACH in the past, which means the applicant pool is small, Keller said.

PuLSE Office Director and SGA adviser Caroline Huck-Watson said this position is very important to both the university and the community.

“This position is vital,” Huck-Watson said. “This person provides the opportunity to highlight different views and perspectives, which is important to Butler and the college experience.”

Keller said there was a lack of interest and time among the eligible candidates.

Due to this vacancy, Keller said he has opened up the applicant pool to the rest of campus.

“If we are able to find a strong candidate, we’ll have to go through assembly to have him or her voted on and approved,” Keller said.

So far, Keller said he has received contacts from three students.

Keller said he believes the lack of candidates is related to REACH’s target audience.

“REACH tends to focus on a similar group,” Keller said. “There needs to be a bigger focus in order to attract all of campus.”

Huck-Watson   said REACH  needs to find different ways to communicate with students to help them receive  information about REACH.

“There are common ways to get out information on REACH to the students, but REACH is also open to other ways to provide students with information,” Huck-Watson said.

This situation is not unprecedented.

A similar situation occurred last year, and SGA responded with a similar solution, Keller said.

Keller said this does not hurt his executive board or his ability to work with them.

“This gives me the opportunity to look at my board, see what’s lacking, and see what I can add,” Keller said.

Huck-Watson said she also views this as a positive situation.

“This will allow an interested person to  participate in SGA and get  a leadership position,” Huck-Watson said.

Keller said he is most interested in discussing new ideas and new ways of doing things with his executive board.

“I have a lot of ideas and am very idea-focused,” Keller said.

Keller said he wants to make SGA more accessible through publicizing office hours more and encouraging student attendance at SGA meetings.

None of this year’s Executive Board members will be returning to posts next year, including SGA presidential runner-up and current vice president of operations Kelsa Reynolds.

Before last Wednesday’s announcement, current SGA President Al Carroll said that he wasn’t sure if he would hold a spot on the executive board.

“I will serve at the pleasure of the next president,” Carroll said in an interview last month. “It’s more important that I help the next president be successful regardless of me. This is about making sure that this is a positive organization and not that Al is the leader.”

In an email to The Collegian, Carroll said that he would still be involved next year.

“I have no intention of spending my senior year too far away from the action,” Carroll wrote. “I will evaluate where I can best serve this organization and then apply. I do not anticipate a third year on SGA exec, but I will apply to serve in some capacity.”

Butler University prides itself on its liberal arts pedigree.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Jay Howard writes an email every month titled “Liberal Arts Matters.”

I agree wholeheartedly.

But if the university makes this a priority, it needs to ensure that global and historical studies courses continue to be available for students and that it encourages professors to be enthusiastic to teach the subject.

GHS offers exposure for students to learn unfamiliar cultures, issues and perspectives.

It fits the liberal arts vision of the university perfectly.

The university focuses on more than just skills to obtain a job—which has obvious commercial benefit.

There is more to life, though, than getting and keeping a job.

GHS and other core classes attempt to expose students to that reality and hopefully to enrich them culturally.

All those atrocious buzzwords boil down to the fact that university officials believe that students should graduate with more than just the necessary skills to pursue an occupation.

As The Collegian reported this week, Butler has struggled to get enough instructors to teach GHS in the past.

The university is not considering canceling or shrinking the program in response to this.

Butler should not have to be worried about this problem, though.

Professors admittedly are very busy, but their time will be well spent on this program.

The program depends on a large diversity of backgrounds to make it work.

As a chemistry and criminology major, I found my own GHS professors to be incredibly insightful and also very different from my in-major class lectures.

The two professors were from business and history, and they are some of the most enthusiastic and inspiring teachers I have.

GHS needs more than just token nods and desperately filled-up sections.

Students need to go in with open minds, at the very least, and try to conjure up some enthusiasm.

And professors need to get involved in the program.

They need to be enthusiastic about these courses.

And they need to remember that, while this lecture subject may not be a part of their own department, they still have the chance to be powerful motivators for their students.

Student groups at Butler University said they’re going to work harder to protect diversity in their organizations in light of the lower freshman multicultural enrollment this year.

“It is absolutely imperative that student organizations reach across the table and work with each other,” Caitlin Jackson, president of Demia Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, said.

Should the enrollment have a negative effect on membership numbers, students will need to work more with other groups, Valerie Davidson, director of diversity programs, said.

“Students will realize the value of reaching out and realize there’s real strength and power in collaboration,” Davidson
said.

Freshman Rithvi Melanta said despite the need to reach out, people tend to stick to the groups they’re familiar with.

“It’s harder for groups to be diverse when students stay in their comfort zone,” Melanta said. “The numbers are definitely eventually going to have an effect.”

Student groups still are getting started, so it remains to be seen if the enrollment will have an effect on student group membership this year, Davidson said.

Davidson said Butler’s student organizations are mighty even when their memberships are lower.

“You might have fewer people working to accomplish the group’s agenda, but the commitment to the mission is there,” Davidson said. “People are going to roll up their sleeves and get things done.”

Jackson, who said she wants to co-host an event with the Black Student Union, said the effects of a lower freshman multicultural enrollment go beyond membership in diversity organizations.

“A decrease in diversity means further marginalizing and silencing voices of diversity,” Jackson said.

Butler has seven student organizations with offices in the Efroymson Diversity Center, including Asian Student Intercultural Alliance, Black Student Union, Butler Alliance, Demia, International Club, Latinos Unidos and the Voices of Deliverance Gospel Choir.

After dropping more than 1 percent in a year, multicultural student enrollment at Butler University is one-third the national rate at other private, four-year, not-for-profit institutions.

Multicultural students—African-Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Americans and other non-Caucasian students—make up 11.3 percent of Butler’s population, down from 12.4 percent last year.

On average, multicultural students made up 31.9 percent of the student population at other private, four-year, not-for-profit institutions in the United States in 2009, according to data by the National Center for Education Statistics.

The drop has been attributed to change in financial aid. In 2008, students looking to state funds to help cut the out-of-pocket costs could earn up to $11,000. Now, students with the highest need can earn up to $7,000.

Tom Weede, vice president of enrollment management, said that multicultural students felt the most impact from the drop in aid and said that they tend to come from lower socioeconomic groups.

“There has been a disproportionate impact on multicultural students.

“What we’re asking is that the poorest students—some of whom are multicultural and some of whom are white—who have the least ability to pay it, to find an extra $4,000 to come to the university,” Weede said. “It’s just not plausible.”

Financial aid makes up a majority of the university budget, with 92 percent of students receiving some sort of aid from the university.

Making up the difference from state cuts would be difficult, if not impossible, Weede said.

“We, as a university, just don’t have a way or the means to make that up,” Weede said. “When we try and move money from budgets to find this money, we take away from something else. There’s no easy way to do this.

“It looks really fine and seems like a good idea to just do that, until it’s your budget that’s being changed.”

How Butler stacks up

Butler’s multicultural rate is slightly below similar universities, Weede said. He said the cost of the university is one to be considered when looking at the hard numbers.

“It’s easy to look at other universities with higher rates and be surprised that ours is low,” Weede said. “Our cost is a factor. So if anything happens that would hinder a student’s ability to pay for the university, we’re less likely to get that student to come to Butler.”

Past and future of Multicultural enrollment

In the past four years, multicultural enrollment has been on a steady increase but still is behind other similar universities.

Butler’s history in recruiting and enrolling diverse students is one that has faced changes in recent decades.

Between the 1920s and the 60s, university policies–including one that put a quota on how many multicultural students were admitted each year–built a barrier between multicultural communities and the university.

It wasn’t until around 1986 that the university made a mindful effort to appeal  to and recruit more multicultural students from around the country, Valerie Davidson, director of diversity programs, said.

“Under [former university President John G.] Johnson, administrators really started to look at how to better the university’s relationship with the community,” Davidson said. “They wanted to really start breaking down those invisible barriers.”

When Johnson became university president in 1978, he was one of the first university presidents to consciously improve appeal to   multicultural students.

Johnson said after his inauguration that one of the guidelines for developing his administrative policies was a desire “to attract highly qualified young people who represent a broad segment of economic and cultural backgrounds.”

Under Johnson, a diversity program and task force were created to increase multicultural recruitment and enrollment, including changes in academic programs and outreach efforts.

“With the changes the university has made, the perception that people have of Butler has changed,” Davidson said. “The university has become a community partner and has encouraged interaction, which has helped create a better view of the campus.”

Multicultural recruitment efforts have been successful, Weede said. The university has seen an increase in both acceptance rates and applications received by minorities.

“We’ve seen the acceptance go up,” Weede said. “Now we’re just waiting to see the enrollment catch up. We’ve all been working hard to make sure that can get done.”

Davidson echoed Weede’s sentiment.

“Recruitment has a big job in front of them,” she said. “We’re competing for students from the same pool of applicants, so we just need to keep finding creative ways to create relationships with different potential students.”

The Collegian contacted, but was unable to meet with, officials from admissions and financial aid.