Diversity in higher education

Diversity in Higher EducationNicole BeachumSam CallisterKate Starnes

Higher education has not always promoted diversityCollege was reserved for white males in the upper class of societyEssentially, colleges practiced ethnocentrismCambridge and Oxford

Originally, higher education originated to educate clergy and church officialsOver time, the goals of higher education have extended to include: Multiple career pathsDiverse student bodyTechnical programs of studyGoals of Higher Education

Throughout history, minorities have been denied access to higher educationOver time, campuses started to become segregatedToday, thanks to many laws, court rulings, and proactive groups, higher education becoming more diverseAccess Denied

1866: Civil Rights Act of 1866 1896: Plessy v. Ferguson 1954: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas1962: First African American enrolled in college at the University of Mississippi1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964Pivotal Movements

1965: President Johnson signed the Executive Order 112461978: Regents of University of California v. Bakke1988: Civil Rights Restoration Act2003: Grutter v. BollingerPivotal MovementsContinued…

2003: Gratz v. Bollinger2008: Grutter case upheld for University of Texas in Austin2010: Christian Legal Society v. MartinezPivotal MovementsContinued…

The above court cases and amendments increased access to higher education to minority studentsAlthough colleges are allowed to use race to increase the overall diversity of students on campus, this must be outlined in admission plans and be backed by proper documentationRace is not to be used for any other reason in admission policies and proceduresAffirmative Action in Admissions

Students desire to interact with students with diverse backgroundsHowever, students need assistance with knowing how to interact with those different from themTherefore, colleges must help students explore diversity in a safe but beneficial environment for everyoneStudents and Diversity

Since faculty members tend to remain on campus the longest, it is essential to understand their views of diversity Faculty within Engineering, Mathematics, and Sciences score low on “Diversity Advocacy”Faculty within English, Education and Fine Arts departments score high on “Diversity Advocacy”Faculty and Diversity

Male faculty members tend to score lower on “Diversity Advocacy”, especially if they are in the Engineering and Math/Science departmentsFemale faculty members tend to score higher on “Diversity Advocacy”, especially if they are in the English, Education, and Fine Arts arenasGender and Diversity

Along with increasing diversity within the student body, administrators and faculty must also be diverse3 recommendations for higher educationIncrease faculty and staff diversityNew programs and training for faculty in low diversity advocacy fields Promote civic engagement and responsibilityDiversity on Campus

7,006 accredited higher education institutions 1,195 Community Colleges 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities 268 Hispanic Serving Institutions 34 Tribal Colleges and Universities Higher Education Now

US Population, Actual and Projected Population for Years 2008 and 2050

Minority representation in faculty, administrators, and governing boards do not matching minority representation in the student body Student population: 35% minorityInstitution presidents: 14% minorityExecutive and administrative staff: 19% minorityDiversity Representation

Full-time faculty: 22% minorityPart-time faculty: 25% minorityGoverning board of public institutions: 22% minorityGoverning board of independent institutions: 12% minorityDiversity RepresentationContinued…

Projected Minority Student Enrollment increase by Race 1990, 2004, & 2015

If we are not diligent in our recognition, acceptance, and awareness of diverse peoples, our higher education will suffer serious growing pains in the near futureAccording to Milligan, we can only strengthen America as a whole if we enhance new minds and views on diversityImportance of Diversity

Student organizations like Student Think Tank (STT) are doing their part to promote diversity in higher educationRecommendations by STT:“Improve how information about the college is disseminated”Open savings account to be set up for elementary school students of low socioeconomic status to save for collegeStudent Think Tank

However, student organizations cannot combat a lack of diversity alone—this must be done from the top downAdministrators, faculty members, and governing boards must also be diverse and promote diversity education, awareness and acceptance for real change to occurBeyond Students

Colleges across the country must actively recruit diverse individuals to fill faculty, staff, and administrative positions on the college campusStudent bodies are ever-changing, but faculty and upper-level administrators are relatively consistent; therefore, the change must occur on this level as wellRecruitment

“The most certain test by which we judge whether a country is really free is the amount of security enjoyed by minorities.”John Dalberg Quote

Betts, K., Urias, D., Chavez, J., & Betts, K. (2009, April 29). Empirical Research: Higher Education and Shifting U.S. Demographics: Need for Visible Administrative Career Paths, Professional Development, Succession Planning & Commitment to Diversity. Retrieved April 15, 2010, from Academic Leadership The Online Journal: http://www.academicleadership.org/emprical_research/623_printer.shtmlBrunner, B., & Haney, E. (2007).Civil rights timeline: Milestones in the modern civil rights movement. Retrieved from http://www.infoplease.com/spot/civilrightstimeline1.htmlCantrell v. Granholm, 473 F. 3d 237 (2008).Retrieved from http://www.mied.uscourts.gov/Opinions/lawsonpdf/06-15024%20Prop%202%20Opinion%20Granting%20MSJ.pdfCivil Rights Act of 1866, 42 U.S.C. § 1981.References

Downes, K. P., & Dun, L. M. (2009). Understanding Diversity: White College Students’ Perceptions of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity.Harper, S.R. (2008). Creating inclusive campus environments for cross-cultural learning and student engagement. United States: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).Hebel, S. (2007, July 26). Student Think Tank Offers 25 Ideas to Raise Socioeconomic Diversity of Enrollments. Home - The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved July 18, 2010, from http://chronicle.com/article/Student-Thonk-Tank-Offers-25Jaschik, S. (2010).New venue for anti-bias debate. Retrieved from http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/06/29/supremeJaschik, S. (2009).Court win for affirmative action. Retrieved from http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/08/18/texas

Milligan, D., 291.,& 000. (n.d.).Cultural Diversity in Higher Education.Department of Mathematics & Statistics. Retrieved July 18, 2010, from http://www.math.usf.edu/mug/diversityPark, J. J., & Denson, N. (2009). Attitudes and Advocacy: Understanding Faculty Views on Racial/ Ethnic Diversity. Journal of Higher Education , 415-438.Preserving diversity in higher education (2004). Retrieved from http://www.equaljusticesociety.org/compliancemanual/Preserving_Diversity_In_Higher_Education.pdfSidanius, J., Levin, S., van Laar, C., & Sears, D. O. (2008). The Diversity Challenge: Social Identity and Intergroup Relations on the College Campus. New York: Russel Sage Foundation.U.S. Const. amend. XIX.

Diversity in higher education

More Related Content

What's hot

Viewers also liked

Similar to Diversity in higher education

In this document

Diversity in higher education