When some students come to Penn, they expect to find cultural diversity and befriend those from all different races.
Yet many students tend to socialize strictly within their own ethnic group. And some believe that Penn may be encouraging students to continue to restrict their social circles.
A panel met last night in Houston Hall to discuss the issue of institutional self-segregation at Penn. Around 70 people, mostly minorities, attended to listen as panel members highlighted the main problems with self-segregation and outlined possible solutions.
Some panelists claimed that students, whether or not they are from a minority background, are not used to and are nervous about making friends from different races.
Self-segregation "does exist, and it is because of a comfort zone," Nominations and Elections Committee Vice President of Elections Anne Hankey said.
Members of the audience wanted to know what could be done to break down the walls of self-segregation, and panel members suggested greater social interaction between students.
"If students don't want to change, they're not going to change," College sophomore Daniel Casey said. "We have to bridge a gap between cultural events."
Hankey added that she believes social events are occasions in which different racial groups should not be afraid to interact.
"No one's trying to demean you at a party," the College senior said.
Engineering senior Michael Krouse, however, said he believes most of the effort must come from the majority, as minority groups know white culture, but that the reverse is not necessarily true.
"Breaking down self-segregation is a white project," he said.
The panel also analyzed the shortcomings of the University. Some panel members claimed the institution plays a role in segregation by doing little to promote integration.
"I do not think Penn takes proactive steps in reversing [self-segregation]," Wharton junior and panel member Weldon McMillan said.
Krouse identified what he believes are three problematic areas -- residential, academic and recruitment.
"Residential programs do have a negative side... people have to take courses to give them a broad cultural outlook," Krouse said.
Some in attendance followed up on Krouse's recruitment point by claiming there was too little racial diversity among the faculty, and that this could have an adverse effect on students' willingness to come out of their comfort zones.
"If you don't have the role models, you can't really expect students to do it all the time," College sophomore and panelist Janel Grant said.
Some audience members spoke out and said that for students to become more outgoing, they have to realize the value of doing so. Some believe that it is the University's responsibility to promote open discussion.
Penn "has to create value in experiencing diversity for the majority," Hankey said.
Audience members said they feel the University does not address the issues of segregation and integration.
"The institution doesn't express diversity as a priority," said United Minorities Council Vice Chairwoman and College sophomore Darcy Richie, a Daily Pennsylvanian photographer.
Asian Pacific Student Coalition Chairwoman and College junior Eugena Oh added that she believes Penn should encourage "a mindset for people to pursue integration by themselves."
Panelists and audience members suggested broadening the general requirement to enhance racial understanding.
"There should be requirements in academics, race and ethnic relations," Richie said.
