http://www.idahostatesman.com/Story.asp?ID=53793
BSU will require course in diversity
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Students speak out
Herbert Atienza
The Idaho Statesman
Boise State University students soon will be required to take a class that focuses on diversity and multicultural viewpoints before they can receive their bachelor´s degree.
Amidst cheering from an audience made up mostly of ethnically diverse students, the BSU Faculty Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved a new policy that changed the curriculum requirements for degree-seeking students. BSU President Bob Kustra is expected to sign off on the policy.
Starting with the incoming class in fall 2005, students must take a course that focuses on multicultural and multi-viewpoint issues. Students will be allowed to pick one class from a variety in order to meet the requirement.
“Along with knowing how to add and subtract and learning all those other things, we also have to learn how to work with people different from ourselves,” said Lisa Sanchez, 32. As a student leader a decade ago, Sanchez initiated the push for a diversity requirement.
“This is an issue that´s not going away,” said Faculty Senate President George Murgel.
“We don´t live in a monoculture. Everywhere you go, there´s more than one group of people you have to deal with, and I think it´s in the best interest of our students to be aware and sensitive of these diverse viewpoints,” he said.
A committee will evaluate the university´s courses to see if any already routinely taken by students could meet the diversity requirement.
Murgel said the requirement isn´t expected to increase students´ graduation requirements or require creating new programs.
“Everything should fit in within the existing framework,” he said.
During Tuesday´s meeting, speakers urged university officials to take a stronger stand in support of diversity awareness.
“Diversity education gives students the tools to communicate with those of differing backgrounds,” said Ro Alvarado-Parker, BSU cultural center coordinator.
Ali Ishaq, Associated Students of Boise State University president, said students will be at a disadvantage if they remain ill-equipped to deal with being part of a diverse work force.
Daryl Jones, BSU provost and vice president for academic affairs, said administrators support the policy.
“We live in a global community,” he said. “It´s a key opportunity for our students to grow in their awareness of the many issues facing our community.”
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[email protected] or 377-6413
Edition Date: 11-12-2003
