I fell in love with LSU in December 1998. It was my senior year in high school and my family visited during Christmas break. After a short drive around campus in the dark I knew this was the place for me. Before I made my final decision I consulted the US News and World Report Best Colleges Guide. I found that LSU was just what I was looking for, a large, preferably public, institution, with a school of communication or journalism and at least 15 percent minority enrollment, so that I would see other people on campus who looked like me. Four years later LSU has proven to be a great choice for me and now one of my criteria, diversity, has been acknowledged by Kaplan and Newsweek.
In the wake of the two most recent Supreme Court decisions addressing diversity and admissions in higher education, and considering the University’s long history of segregation and exclusion, LSU should be applauded for the diversity of its student body. We must not cease our efforts.
Diversity of student body is only one step in achieving an ideal university. Now it is the responsibility of the University to continue to recruit and retain students from all backgrounds and develop an atmosphere that allows all students to actively engage in the experience that is LSU.
Though we are tied for “The Most Diverse,” whenever I walk into a class I still look around and count the number of minorities in the room. This semester I have been pleasantly surprised by the numbers. This is a testament to our diversity, but it is a reminder of how far we have to go. LSU will truly be the most diverse when it becomes commonplace for a minority student to walk into a classroom and see several other students who look like him or her and not be surprised by it.
When speaking of diversity, I often think in terms of black and white, but one of the arguments presented in Gratz vs. Bollinger case was “That increased diversity improves the overall quality of college education.”
If this is so then diversity should include race, ethnicity, sex, and country of origin, physical ability and sexual orientation. If the environment at LSU is conducive to ethnically diverse students but students with disabilities do not have access to all of the resources and facilities on campus and other students are fearful, uncomfortable or unwilling to express themselves, then our goal of diversity has not been achieved.
The Kaplan ranking makes clear that LSU recognizes the value of diversity in its students, but diversity at the University not only means among the student body, but it should also mean faculty, staff and administration. The value of diversity in a university setting is reflected in the courses you take, the students in the class, the professors who teach them, and the learning that takes place.
It may seem that I have lofty goals for LSU, but if anything the University is in a better position today to create the kind of institution that becomes the model university than ever before.
No degree of diversity means anything without active involvement from the community. College is a unique experience because you have the opportunity to make mistakes, try new things, meet new people and have experiences you may never have again in life. Students may take advantage of the diversity at LSU by joining an organization, traveling abroad, making friends, earning a minor and taking a variety of courses. If done correctly, when you leave LSU it will be with more than just school and your diploma. You will leave with an education. If experience is the best teacher, take the time to experience LSU.
I hope that the recognition by Kaplan and Newsweek don’t mislead the University community. The administration can continue working to bring a more diverse administration, faculty and staff to LSU. Students must contribute, acknowledge and address the issues that arise in diverse environments. This is the only way to create a truly diverse community where people learn, understand and are accepted. Congratulations to all of LSU for the recognition as “The Most Diverse,” but know that as a community we have “Miles to go before we sleep.”