H 84°, L 63° | Tomorrow: 
H 81°, L 63°
If the University of Wisconsin’s approximately 40,000 students condensed into only 200, 11 of those students would be Asian, six would be black, six would be Latino, one would be Native American and the remaining 176 would be Caucasian.
With these statistics in mind, students and faculty members talked in a forum Monday about the need for students to gain an education intermixed with diversity, literally kicking off the night with a martial arts narrative and interpretive break-dance collaboration.
The Associated Students of Madison Diversity Committee joined with the MultiCultural Student Coalition to put on the event, called “In the Wake: Plan 2008” during their hip-hop conference, which began last week.
MCSC Financial Specialist Jamie Yancovitz said they named the event “In the Wake” because it reflected on the need to surge forward in ensuring diversity at UW after the failure of Plan 2008, a 10-year diversity initiative that concluded in the fall of 2008.
MCSC stresses the entire campus must rally around a comprehensive shift toward inclusive diversity so every student can receive an education with a world-class college experience, accoriding to Steven Olikara, chair of the ASM Diversity Committee.
“We have to realize that the world we live in is as interconnected as it’s ever been,” Olikara said. “We need an education that not only builds skills to be successful but also the competency to be successful in a global environment.”
Olikara said he has had students come up to him and say UW does not really need to increase its diversity, a perspective he does not blame them for having because of UW’s lagging diversity education programs.
Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer Damon Williams spoke about inclusive excellence, the new directive of creating and keeping diversity at the university.
Intertwining excellence and diversity, this new framework says UW cannot be an excelling university without a unique mixture of cultures and experiences within the students and staff, Williams said.
Differing from past 10-year plans, inclusive excellence is meant to spark conversation among students and faculty — not lay out a strict format for goals — in a five-year process with checkpoints along the way. This is the only type of program, according to Williams, that can work in the 21st century.
According to Williams, UW has worked under the strict guidelines of a plan to achieve diversity for so long people feel as if they have no agency or ability to act outside of the confines of a plan — the antithesis to hip-hop culture and authenticity.
“We need a common message that is reflected across the campus,” Olikara said. “I encourage all of you to take some risks and set the example that we need to take the lead in diversity initiatives.”
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What people don’t understand students of color do go to college. Its just that they choose not to come here because of the lack of diversity. Some what of a catch 22 but its the truth. Many students of color here are on scholarship which makes them stay.
I feel that to increase diversity this campus also has to be culturally inclusive. More places where students of color feel comfortable and not just designated multicultural “hot spots”. Places that serve more diverse ethnic cuisine, places to get our hair done, I mean the atmosphere of the campus itself is not welcoming to students of color.
And for all the racist ill-informed comments to come, please talk to a student of color or go a multicultural event and learn something first.
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What’s the big deal? All this says is our university is 88% white, yet the state of Wisconsin is 96% white. If anything this is saying our university is being over represented by minorities.
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How about UW accepts the best possible scholars and students, regardless of race, age or sex?
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So the UW wants more hip-hop culture in Madison?
It is my understanding they admit virtually every minority applicant who applies to the UW as well as gives them full tuition as well as give them special privlidges.
A guy who was in my dorm my first year has flunked out of UW 5 times now and has been given chance after chance while never having to pay a dime. Pretty amazing!
Diversity may be a good thing but there’s only so much the UW can do.
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It’s also too damn cold here. They seem to prefer warmer climates.
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please GO TO A DIVERSITY EVENT before you start talking like you know something*
This was a free open forum yesterday, if you attended it you could speak to people like Dr. Williams and have your voice heard instead of posting ill informed statements in a BH comment box.
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“Places that serve more diverse ethnic cuisine, places to get our hair done, I mean the atmosphere of the campus itself is not welcoming to students of color.”
Well, it’s up to the small business owners to provide that. What, do you excpect the university to open up ethnic restaurants and hair salons to cater to your needs?
Just learn to deal with the situation and you’ll be fine—no excuses. :)
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Indian and Japanese universities seem to churn out lots of high class graduates - do they have any “diversity” at all?
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11:38am you’re generalizing every African-Ameriacn and not every african-american is accepted here. I’m an african-american that goes here and I do not get full tuition paid. I still have to take out loans and everything like a lot of students.
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“It is my understanding they admit virtually every minority applicant who applies to the UW as well as gives them full tuition as well as give them special privlidges.”
First off it’s privileges learn how to spell! Second I am a student of color and I don’t have a full scholarship. Also what special privileges! Get a grip!
As for the rest of the comments, stop assuming that because you are an minority that some how your grades are less than! Because I know white students who flunk out of school too.
“How about UW accepts the best possible scholars and students, regardless of race, age or sex?”
They do! What makes you think they don’t!
Some of the people at this school are disgusting and need to get a clue.
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“Places that serve more diverse ethnic cuisine…”
Are you serious? This statement by itself invalidates all of the rest of your demands for cultural changes to campus. Madison has some of the most diverse ethnic cuisine you could possibly imagine.
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The above stat is absolutely staggering. We attend one of the top public universities in the nation and the fact that minorities make up such a small percentage of the student population is kind of embarrassing. I took a class last semester where I learned about Plan 2008 and while it made huge strides from previous diversity standards (which were basically nonexistent), it is still just a spit in the ocean for such a large school. If UW Madison really wants to prepare us for the real world, then I think they should do all that they can do to help finance more minority student’s educations, as for many this is what prevents their attendance.
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“Well, it’s up to the small business owners to provide that. What, do you excpect the university to open up ethnic restaurants and hair salons to cater to your needs?
Just learn to deal with the situation and you’ll be fine—no excuses. :)”
This is college so please learn how to spell! The word is expect not excpect.
No excuses :)