Benefits of Diversity in Universities - Term Paper Example

College: Campus Diversity The principal mission of any college or campus is to foster excellence in innovationand dissemination of academic knowledge through service, training and research-based teaching. Campuses accommodate people with a wide array of personal perspectives, academic interests and life experiences. These aspects, coupled with individuals’ different racial/ethnic, political and religious backgrounds, add to the diversity of campus environments. However, when most people hear of diversity, they associate the term with racial or ethnic difference and segregation. Although this phenomenon may not be as prevalent as it used to be in the past, there is still some level of continuing prejudice in American communities and learning institutions. It is not surprising that university students sometimes opt to study, live or socialize with other scholars from the same racial background. Nonetheless, encouraging campus diversity is beneficial for students especially in the learning process, even though critics of college diversity programs argue that these programs do not have any educational advantages. Critics of college diversity schemes claim that ethnic based segregation is prevalent among students. The critics also argue that the extensive spread of racial segregation weakens the academic capacity of a genuine multicultural campus community. Additionally, some of these critics hint that college diversity schemes, like Racial Studies programs, African-American historical studies, Black student clubs, and dorms or houses with ethnic themes, promote further separation instead. They allege that this counters the purpose of a diverse community, which is to encourage intergroup interaction and educate students about each other, in order to guarantee productive co-existence as adults. The underlying value of diversity in institutions of higher learning is also an important aspect to consider in this debatable issue. Members of the public generally support the affirmative action, which seeks to overcome discrimination against women and minority groups by providing them access to equal educational opportunities. This is because it supports the democratic principles of equity, fairness, and equality. However, there are people who argue that the affirmative action, which supports campus diversity, also goes against the very ideals which contributed to its creation. This is because; many institutions of higher learning view it as a platform for building their reputation and acquiring extra resources. Despite the critics’ arguments against affirmative action and campus diversity, extensive research has examined how students grow and transform as they join diverse college environments. Most of the said academic researched has concentrated on the manner in which campus racial dynamics influence learners’ outcomes. A great portion of the evidence collected supports continued utilization of affirmative action during university admissions. This is because, students benefit from diversity on campus, both at an individual level and educationally. Apparently, interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds enhances learners’ growth and improvement in regard to emotions management, interpersonal skills and mental maturity. This learning benefit is collective, in the sense that, it is experienced by all students whether they are minorities like Blacks, Asians or Hispanics admitted through adherence to the affirmative action, or Whites who form the greater part of university population. Certainly, majority students in campus that did not previously have a chance to directly interact with minorities can get to know them and their cultural backgrounds. This, in turn, enhances their ability to work with minorities in the future, in a work environment that is increasingly embracing all types of workers. Another kind of diversity is characterized by the connections that scholars have with new concepts, ideas and people in general. Within this type of diverse interactions, learners get immense influence by the kind of interactions they have with diverse people and information, as well as, interactions when portraying their ideas. These modes of diversity are usually not mutual because students are mostly exposed to different kinds of ideas and information through the contacts they have with different individuals. Nevertheless, the effect of each ode of diversity is fostered by embracing the presence of other people. Bensimon (12) emphasizes that structural diversity is an essential antecedent for different types of interactions to take place. Diversity in ideologies and information has largely affected institutions of higher learning because of the efforts and presence of different people. A study depicts that socializing across different races as well as discussing racial issues have positive outcomes on students’ diversity. This means that overall; there is immense satisfaction with of social concepts. It is evident that maximization of cross racial interaction, as well as, encouragement of ongoing deliberations on race comprise of instructive aspects that benefit students from different cultural backgrounds. Nevertheless, when these effects become more, students structural diversity of color get considered with limited or no involvement in any form of activities. This means that students of African American origin and other ethnic groups are likely have less satisfaction on their college experience (Bensimon 23-25). Therefore, increasing structural diversity only; in an institution without taking into consideration the kind of influence it will have on campus racial diversity, will likely cause issues for students in the particular institution. Diversity experiences in college have remarkable effects especially on the extent to which students interact ethnically and racially, as well as, their coping capabilities in their lives after college. Students who take into consideration diversity, as well as, interaction with different individuals during their college life usually have better coping mechanisms with cross racial long term patterns of segregation that are perceived by numerous social scientists have the capability to be broken by enhancement of diversity e during campus. Another imperative arena of university life is the classroom. On campuses that enhance diversity, numerous students get educated in different classrooms where they study a variety of subjects which are inclusive of previously neglected individuals. The classes have been reported to have significant positive educational effects on the minority, as well as, the majority of students. Nevertheless, there no need to get alarmed by diversity issues in campus, this is because there are better aspects that will facilitate the enhancement of diversity in the future. The main issue is that, despite the fact that many institutions of higher running have not yet reflected well on diversity, many people are embracing this positive aspect. In conclusion, it is evident that campuses are not that much subjected to widespread racial segregation, as well as, ethnic clustering as critics insist. In fact, diversity brought about by the presence of minority ethnic groups, activities and other college diversity strategies have contributed highly to the academic and interpersonal interaction excellence in the modern day universities. Campus diversity schemes are also playing a significant role in preparing college students to create a better multicultural environment for present and future benefits to all students. Work Cited Bensimon, Estela. Creating an Institutional Identity Out of Differences: A Case Study of Multicultural Organizational Change. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University. 1995. Read More