By Sheri Tanaka
Stereotypes and general ignorance between students about minorities continue to exist despite an increase in the number of students who registered and declared themselves as minority.
In a survey of 52 minority students conducted by the Daily Universe, 45 said BYU needs more ethnic diversity. However, the BYU administration is working hard to appeal to minority students.
?We want as much as possible for BYU to reflect the diversity of the church,? said Carri Jenkins from University Communications. ?This is something that won?t happen overnight because of the admission standards. We believe through preparation and awareness and working hard to appeal to minority students that diversity will increase at the university.?
Jenkins said the number of minorities over the years has already increased significantly.
In 1975, there were 466 minority students, 1.8 percent, out of a student body of 25,950. In 1990, there were 1,007, 3.3 percent, minority students out of a student body of 30,297. In 2002, there were 2,885 minority students, 8.9 percent, out of a student body 32,408 students.
?Some may feel BYU is very diverse because many missionaries have served in other countries,? said Joseph Ahuna, 23, a senior majoring in international studies from Hawaii. ?But it doesn?t mean BYU has perfect cultural awareness within every single country in the world. As far as worldwide cultural awareness, BYU is lacking.?
A report of the Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System, prepared by the national Center for Education Statistics, said 72 percent of higher education students are Caucasians, 6 percent Asian/Pacific Islander, 12 percent African American, 9 percent Hispanic and 1 percent American Indian/Alaskan.
?Diversity is important because it helps people put themselves in other people?s shoes,? said Jared Warner, 24, a senior from Japan, majoring in International Studies. ?The only way we are going to understand each other is through interactions with different groups.?
Stereotypes and general ignorance between students about one another maintain cultural gaps between individuals, said Ammon Casey, 23, a junior from Hawaii, majoring in Information Systems.
?I think if we had more diversity, then everyone would be more comfortable around each other,? he said.
In the Daily Universe survey, 37 students said they feel affirmative action programs are important. The other 15 said affirmative action programs hinder minorities.
?We need a helping hand to get us to equal parity with the white race from many years of oppression,? said Kakra Assasie, 22, an African-American junior from Ghana, majoring in computer science. ?More importantly, to dispel the tension that exists between minorities and the white race.?
However, the BYU Multicultural Office is striving to create a more diverse institution by implementing different programs into the community.
?It?s good that schools want more diversity,? said Jennifer Guirola, a Hispanic sophomore, 19, from Boston, majoring in Spanish teaching, ?But they shouldn?t accept people based just on their ethnic background.?
In an effort to help students better prepare for a higher education, the BYU Multicultural Student Services has created programs that reach out to potential minority students in the community.
?We are committed to doing what we can to make opportunities available to students of color as long as they meet the admissions requirements,? Slaughter said.
SOAR stands as one of BYU?s most successful multicultural programs, helping minority students prepare in high school to become competitive for university admission.
Expeditions, a BYU program that began this past spring, reaches out to minority students just before they enter high school, inviting them to spend a day at BYU. During the day spent on campus, students and faculty members work with incoming minority students to perform science experiments and complete math problems in a fun, creative environment.
?Many of these kids haven?t even thought about college,? Slaughter said. ?This program allows them the opportunity to think differently about themselves. It helps them to see their potential and begin a plan for higher education.?
Aside from SOAR and Expeditions, the Multicultural Office provides retention programs, such as Freshman Retreat. They also offer personal counseling and academic advising to help minorities succeed and graduate after they are admitted to BYU.
?Before we had a higher turnover rate and kids losing their scholarship because of academic reasons,? said Jim Slaughter, assistant director of the Multicultural Student Office. ?But now, more and more are keeping their awards. Their academic performance is increasing as a whole.?
A study of 300 campuses found that racially mixed student populations have positive effects on retention, overall college satisfaction, college grade point average and intellectual and social self-confidence.
?Every university struggles with the retention of students,? Slaughter said. ?Some populations are at greater risk than others, so it takes the whole university to make sure students have a positive experience. One office can only have so much influence.?