Author: Lindsay Palmer
Close to 100 students filled the Mosher lecture hall last Wednesday for the discussion panel, “Integrating Oxy: Reevaluating our ‘Commitment’ to Diversity.” A panel of faculty and students led the audience in an examination of Occidental’s approach to diversity, which created a heated discussion.
Topics ranged from scrutiny of the college’s mission statement, to an analysis of the role of diversity within the structure and operations of the Pauley Multicultural Residence Hall and the Multicultural Summer Institute (MSI), to diversity in admissions policy and within student social life and interactions.
The event concluded with the formation of a committee of students interested in continuing the discussion and making change within school policy.
The panel, assembled by Associated Students of Occidental College (ASOC) Senior Senator Alex Safransky, was comprised of 10 speakers from various departments, including Admissions, Financial Aid, the politics department and MSI. Student clubs, including the Black Students Association (BSA), First Nations, Asia Pacific Islander Association (APIA) and the ASOC Senate were also represented. Panel members began the discussion by introducing their individual interpretations of diversity and impressions of diversity within Occidental. Discussion soon became hectic as students yelled, cursed and cried.
There were varying attitudes within the lecture hall regarding Oxy’s treatment of diversity – some people were disappointed, some angry, some frustrated.
The panel and audience came to a consensus at the beginning of the evening that diversity is a declining priority within Occidental.
Safransky opened the conversation by reading Occidental’s mission statement as it is presented on the school’s Web site. Safransky highlighted that the Web site does not include the entire mission statement -specifically the paragraph detailing Occidental’s “commit[ment] to multiculturalism.”
Two major topics of the evening concerned the clearest manifestations of multiculturalism at Oxy: the Pauley Multicultural Residence Hall and Oxy’s Multicultural Summer Institute (MSI). Safransky prompted discussion about the merits of the residence hall and MSI, as well as the pros and cons of expanding MSI to more than the 50 students who participate every summer.
“Over the past four years, multiculturalism [within Pauley] has lost its meaning . . . [there are] lots of things that need to be done [concerning diversity] . . . [but] if all we do is sit around and talk about homework, it won’t get done,” Pauley hall coordinator Deylin Thrift-Viveros (senior) said.
Discontent with Pauley’s current situation, three-year resident of the Pauley Multicultural Hall and BSA President Lindsey Fuller (senior) seconded the sentiment.
“As we’ve let Pauley hall go, that’s indicative of our [declining] commitment to diversity . . . I’m glad I’m graduating,” said Fuller.
Other students attending the panel expressed different views.
“The multicultural dorm isolates minorities . . . that’s not reality . . . you have to integrate.” Juan German (sophomore) said.
Sammy Suboh (senior), a three-year resident of Pauley, said that the college admits minorities to the student body to give the appearance of supporting multiculturalism.
“We are here as puppets,” Suboh said. He added that the school fails to take care of minority groups within the student population.
“I’m tired of seeing my best friends have to leave because the college cannot support them [emotionally and financially],” Suboh said.
The panel discussion concluded after members of the audience and the assembled panel considered what they could do to promote diversity and symbiosis between the various peoples of Occidental.
The faculty members on the panel urged students to focus on positive action to change school policy and student relations. Associate Politics Professor Caroline Heldman suggested that students organize and present a plan to the Board of Trustees and President Veitch.
Several panelists urged students to interact with people different from themselves.
“You have to challenge yourself . . . don’t just talk to people just like you,” said Alyssa Orrantia, an admissions counselor and former representative of Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America, a program that supports under-represented college applicants.
Assistant director of financial aid Dan Dabek added that students must do more than just think about diversity.
“When you read about diversity [for class etc.], it’s not the same as experiencing it. You can read [about diversity] in a book, but can’t learn it,” said Dabek.
ASOC president Andrew DeBlock (senior), as well as several senate members, offered the student government as a forum to stimulate action.
As the discussion wrapped up, assistant politics professor Thalia Gonzalez told those present in the lecture hall to put in the effort to create change within Occidental.
“It’s great to talk about [diversity], but we’re all reactive. We’re not proactive. We need to be proactive,” said Gonzalez.
Panelist, ASOC campus-wide senator and BSA member Michael Clegg (sophomore) stated, “We can’t fix this problem tonight . . . but [we] can offer steps to deal with it.”
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