THERE are hundreds of contracted independent organizations (CIOs), or student-run clubs, at the University. There is enough diversity among them for every student to find his or her niche. You will be completely overwhelmed when you arrive at the Activities Fair in the fall. Most likely, you'll sign up for twenty-five e-mail lists, at least twenty of which you'll disregard until you figure out how to unsubscribe from them. However, there will be one CIO there for which there is no sign up. It is comprised of five other organizations -- Alianza (the Latino leadership council), the Asian Student Union, the Black Student Alliance, the National Organization for Women and the Queer Student Union.
In turn, these five organizations are umbrella organizations for several cultural clubs around Grounds. All of these groups are bonded together by shared experiences and a history of support for each other. Four years ago, the heads of these five umbrella organizations got together to create the Minority Rights Advocacy Coalition, or simply "The Coalition." Membership in one of the cultural groups that falls under the five organizations includes representation in the Coalition.
The purpose of The Coalition is to create a greater understanding of and between people of all minority statuses, whether because of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. We strive to help create a University community that truly embraces diversity in all of its forms. We also work with various administrators and offices around Grounds to meet this end. The Coalition advocates for more resources and support for minority students, diversifying the curriculum with the expansion of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, and encouraging recruitment and retention of minority and female students, faculty and staff.
Throughout the year, you can expect many programs, events and activities from the Coalition. Probably the greatest accomplishment of the Coalition thus far is the success of Kaleidoscope: Center for Cultural Fluency. The Coalition, along with Student Council and the Office of the Dean of Students, collaborated to create this wonderful gathering space. It is centrally located on the third floor of Newcomb Hall. The 'Scope has been host to many cultural programs and art exhibitions including a night with Reverend Irene Monroe, "What Happens...When Words Offend?: Political Correctness, Censorship, and Free Speech" and "A Walk Through Latin America." Various cultural and political groups are encouraged to use the 'Scope through a program called "The Mix," which allows groups that ordinarily may not interact with each other are brought together for a nighttime activity. Sometimes friendships are made, sometimes nothing further comes of the interaction, but students always leave with a better understanding from The Mix.
"Diversity" should not be just a buzzword that people throw around to gain favor from others. Diversifying the ethnicities, genders, races, sexes and sexualities of a university community is all part of incorporating a diversity of background knowledge, experiences and viewpoints. It is unfortunate that many people leave college degreed, but uneducated. There is much more to school than what can be learned in books. The world is full of different perspectives that need to recognized, expressed, respected and learned from. Diversity in education and life experiences should be a goal of all University students, faculty and staff. The Minority Rights Coalition would like to help the University community achieve its goals.
Good luck this year and in years to come at the University.
Adrienne Patton is chair of the Minority Rights Coalition.
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