Community | Diversity | Equality | Accountability | Success for Students | Suggestions
In general, diversity in Oregon has been an uphill struggle. However, the commitments of the Campus Compact have greatly enhanced the community's receptiveness to diversity. Many interviewees had stories reflecting concrete improvements in this area resulting from programs such as the OSU chapter of the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI).
"Diversity is a huge piece of OSU now and I believe that is because of the original diversity initiative in the Campus Compact. I think that OSU is a much better place to be."
"In Student Affairs I have seen more diversity in that many women are empowered."
"After the September 11th event, we made a sign with flags of every country that we could find a flag for and put 'welcome' in that language. We posted it outside by the front desk to say, 'It doesn't matter where you are from, you are welcome here.'"
"We are working on the issues of being multi-culturally effective. The positive energy of working together on planning makes us feel connected. It trickles down to the students by making the students feel more connected. Students and faculty of color have said that the MEO is one of the places on campus where they can feel safe and comfortable. That is a testimony to me about the effectiveness of our office."
"This used to be a 'good ol' boy' university. Things have changed and it appears there is greater diversity among the faculty/staff and the and the student body."
"Looking around campus, at times it may not seem diversified, but there are more people that are willing to go out, investigate and learn more. The number of people that want to be good allies to communities of color, LGBTQ community, and persons with disabilities has increased."
"Since the implementation things have changed a lot! Before Larry Roper came, Student Affairs tended to be hierarchical and not receptive to people who may be different. Campus wasn't very diversity friendly. I think we have come a long way on that. All kinds of diversity, women, people of color, different philosophies of life, it seems much more welcoming of that now."
"I think without a doubt, diversity has increased at the department head level. If you exclude EOP and the MEO offices we didn't have any diversity at the department head level at all. Since the Compact we have increased that... Diversity really means to me that if you take problem and you have a diverse staff you will look at that problem from different perspectives. Diversity is critical in everything and must be included to be successful. If you have a diverse student population then you have to have a diverse staff. I think that the campus Compact spelled that out for the community."
Although there were many comments on how diversity has generally improved, many believe that diversity has still not reached a desirable level. While the Division of Student Affairs has been committed to and exhibited diversification, the surrounding campus community has still had significant problems with the concept. However, even within the division there is always room for improvement.
"There are still a lot of problems with diversity on campus. If the Compact has made any impact it has encouraged people to talk about it. There are still issues around acceptance and tolerance, which can be magnified during hard times."
"Diversity in Corvallis is a challenge in Corvallis and Oregon in general. Our community hasn't attracted as many ethnicities to work at the university as would be desired."
