Diversity in Colleges and Universities - Research Paper Example

Diversity Introduction There have been numerous studies on diversity in colleges and universities. The staff, and administrators in my college come from diverse backgrounds. Indeed, we have international students from different cultural backgrounds. Subject to the presence of individuals from different cultures in my college, there is need for improved concern on enhancing diversity. This will enhance better relationships, improved performance, reduced discrimination, and respect for other people’s backgrounds. In fact, improving the diversity department in my college would have numerous beneficial effects on the environment and reputation of the college. As such, an integrated system at my college to raise the awareness about cultural differences and diversity of students will be very significant. Statement of Problem Cultural differences and diversity of students is a significant problem in my college. Various students come from different countries, economic backgrounds, races, cultures, and sexual orientations. The knowledge and experience of surviving, studying, and performing in such an environment poses a great challenge to many stakeholders in my college. Many students and college staff are having problems with their colleagues from other cultural backgrounds. As such, there is a need for improved efforts on addressing cultural differences and diversity of students in my college. Significance of the Problem Cultural differences and diversity of students poses a great problem in my college as it defines the mode of living, interrelations, and the subsequent performance of the students. The cultural differences and diversity of students in my college prevents the students from establishing health relationships, participating in relevant class discussions, and enhancing peaceful coexistence. These demerits jeopardize the learning environment, demean the reputation of the college, propagate conflicts, and limits academic performance of the students. Purpose of the Project The purpose of this project is to analyze how improving the diversity department in my college would affect the environment and reputation in general. More so, this project seeks to carry out a research that will discuss the importance of developing an integrated system at my college to raise the awareness about cultural differences and diversity of students. To achieve this, the project will rely on relevant literature and research procedures and analyze the findings with a view of drawing an informed conclusion and making significant recommendations. Definitions Cultural differences refer to the variations in how different countries, people, and religions live and what they believe. Different cultural identities form cultural differences in the society (Tasmanian Government, 2013). Diversity refers to the positive acceptance and respect of other people’s unique differences based on race, gender, economic status, ideologies, religion, political beliefs, cultures, and age (University of Oregon Administration, n.y). Review of Literature A study by Fischer examines the impact of college characteristics, social distance felt toward other groups, and precollege friendship diversity on the formation of interracial friendships in the first year of college (Fischer, 2008). The study establishes that campus racial/ethnic diversity is significant in predicting friendship heterogeneity in the first year of college (Fischer, 2008). Moreover, the study notes that the minorities have higher predicted friendship diversity than whites have in the same context (Fischer, 2008). Furthermore, a study by Rebecca Hochradel analyses the effects of diversity mandates in relation to Mississippi institutions of higher learning (Hochradel et al, 2010). The study seeks to explore the diversity among these institutions and to determine the effect of the mandate by the IHL on the diversity of employees and students at these universities (Hochradel et al, 2010). The study establishes that there have been few changes in diversity in Mississippi institutions of higher learning and that such changes mimic the state's population (Hochradel et al, 2010). The study established that changes in diversity fostered overall gender diversity, ethnic diversity among students, increased numbers of female, and minority employees, increased numbers of administration female new hires (Hochradel et al, 2010). The study by Brown Warren explores Student multicultural awareness in online community college classes. The study reckons that US community colleges adopt an open-door mission and serve to provide access to students of diverse backgrounds where they serve both local and geographical dispersed students (Brown, 2010). As such, the study seeks to know if awareness on multiculturalism plays a significant role for students. The study establishes that an integrated system will significantly raise the awareness about cultural differences and diversity of students, which consequently leads to significant shifts in how students perceive societal issues of multiculturalism (Brown, 2010). Procedures I first sought authority to conduct the research on the college grounds from the university administration. I used a population of international students from different countries and a collection of few local students. I used systematic sampling technique to achieve a sample size of 40 students (30 international and 10 local students) to address cultural differences and diversity in my college. I used questionnaires with structured, semi-structures, and open questions to collect relevant data for analysis. The research required complete and consistent responses to 16 questions. Findings I used a table and a four-grid scale moving from 1- disagrees; 2 – not sure; 3 – partly agrees; 4 – agrees to analyze the collected data. All the 40 students responded to the questionnaires but I excluded the responses of four students because they were incomplete responses. Specifically, 20 international students agreed that there are diversity issues and there is need to improve diversity in the college while only four local students held a similar opinion. Additionally, four international and four local students believed that there are no diversity issues in the college and there is no need to improve diversity in the college. Twenty-four international students and four local students related diversity to a better learning environment, increased performance, healthy multicultural relationships, reduced cultural conflicts, and improved reputation of the college. Moreover, one international student partly agrees there are diversity issues in the college and is not sure whether there is need to improve diversity in the college. Two local students held the same opinion. Ultimately, one international student was not aware of any diversity issues in the college and hence was not sure on the need to improve diversity in the college. On the other hand, 23 international students and 8 local students believed that an integrated system to raise the awareness about cultural differences and diversity of students would be significant in the college. Two international students and one local student did not understand the proposed integrated system and hence were not sure of its importance. One local student and one international student disagreed with the proposal of an integrated system. Conclusion I conclude that diversity issues are more prone to international students than to local students. Moreover, it is clear that all students value the significance of diversity in the college and hence appreciate an improvement in the diversity department in my college. Most international students relate diversity to a better learning environment, increased performance, healthy multicultural relationships, reduced cultural conflicts, and improved reputation of the college. Additionally, most students believe that an integrated system to raise the awareness about cultural differences and diversity of students would be significant in the college. Recommendations I therefore recommend an improved diversity department in my college and an integrated system at my college to raise the awareness about cultural differences and diversity of students. Additionally, there should be more studies on the relevance of diversity in the modern education system. References Brown, W. J. (2010). Student multicultural awareness in online community college classes. Multicultural Education & Technology Journal, 4(2), 99-112. Fischer, M. J. (2008). Does campus diversity promote friendship diversity? A look at interracial friendships in college. Social Science Quarterly, 89(3), 631-655. Hochradel, R., Long, J., Johnson, C., & Wells, H. (2010). The effect of diversity mandates: The case of Mississippi institutions of higher learning. Journal of Diversity Management, 5(3), 13-20. Tasmanian Government. (2013). Understanding Cultural Differences. Retrieved from: https://communicatecrossculturally.wikispaces.com/file/view/Understanding+cultural+differences.pdf University of Oregon Administration. (n.y). Definition of Diversity. Retrieved from: http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~asuomca/diversityinit/definition.html Read More