Survey rates diversity program

A preliminary analysis of a survey given to freshmen after the Labor Day diversity education program revealed an overall positive evaluation of this year's program, according to Student Information and Systems. The program, sponsored by the Office of Student Life Programs as part of New Student Orientation, was offered to incoming students for the third year this past fall, with the stated goal of educating students about the advantages and responsibilities of living in a diverse community. The day consisted of a keynote speech by Yolanda King, civil rights activist and the daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr., an Anti-Defamation League video titled "Facing Differences", and small discussion groups and workshop sessions. At the conclusion of the workshop sessions, students were asked to complete the survey as a means of feedback. Student Information and Systems received 1206 surveys, more than 300 fewer than the previous year. In spite of the lowered number of responses, the results of the survey indicated that 82 percent of students found the program an educational experience, whereas 9.8 percent of participants felt that the program was a waste of time, down from 12 percent last year. Out of those who responded to the survey, 56.4 percent were male, and 43.6 percent female. The majority of the respondents were from Middle Atlantic states, Christian, white, and from suburban homes. The survey indicated that students feel the program is too long. The preliminary analysis forms put out by Student Information and Systems showed that student comments voiced displeasure with the length of the program, and offered the suggestion of cutting time from the opening session in the future. Director of Student Life Programs Terri White said that overall, she was pleased with the results of the survey. "I think that the survey indicates that students felt that the program was worthwhile, and that the opportunity to interact with peers around issues that are usually pretty sensitive was worth having," White said. She said that the survey did not indicate the need for any major change. However, she added that a change would most likely be made in next year's program in terms of the scenarios discussed. In the scenarios, students discussed possible situations, such as the posting of ethnically offensive flyers, and their reactions to these situations. "We may modify the scenarios and also include one that deals with issues of race, because this year our scenarios focused on gender and sexual orientation," White said. She added that the program had been considerably modified from previous years, and the result of this modification had been that no scenario focused on the subject of race. Assistant Director for Student Life Programs Bob Schoenberg said that he did not feel that the issue of race was neglected in the discussion groups. "It doesn't mean there wasn't emphasis in the program on race as one form of difference . . . but having a scenario within the program's outline may lead to a little more discussion," Schoenberg said. Schoenberg said that the program would most probably undergo little change in the future, and that the program was not the sole means of educating incoming University students about multiculturalism. "It's not meant to be an end in itself . . . the idea is that programs continue throughout the year in first year residences and other settings," Schoenberg said.