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Show t SPECIAL FEATURE J 9 & fulw WWIWW ferfBKu Im Ai VWflfc inrtjT of The International Club, and create spaces for students that are very diversity the college is working to represent, and annually we have festivals, said Hasib Hussainzada, junior finance major. Westminster students get to experience a little of the culture and food. I see people from every background, from different countries, religions and they hang out together. It is inclu- diverse to come together to learn from each other as well as learning from the curricu- Gust said. a member sive. Historically, people are discouraged from discussing religion because it may not be seen as a polite topic of conversation and causes conflict. Popich, professor of philosophy and world religions, said he wants to move away from this. In his opinion, the solution to religious indusivity and inclusivity of all kinds is safe discussion. I think the biggest part about feeling included is that you can talk about your beliefs and not feel like you have to defend them or that anything you say about someone elses beliefs is immediately taken as critical when you dont mean it that way, Popich said. We need to create a safe haven for conversation. He proposed taking a cue from the Office of Spiritual Life and creating a more permanent, regular version of the Coexist Cafe, a safe place where students of all faiths or no faith can come together to discuss religion and religious differences with moderators. Westminster is a natural, neutral place: an independent, private liberal arts college, Popich said. If you cant talk about ideas controversial or not at a place like this, where can you? This is an ideal place. Saeed, the host of the Coexist Cafe, echoed Popichs thoughts. Inclusivity is about allowing us to have wi Although Gust acknowledged the work the college is doing, he said he thinks theres lum, room for improvement. Something Popich, professor of philosand he said world stresses in ophy Ultimately, I think at this particular moreligions, his classes is that students dont have to agree ment were not doing enough, Gust said. The world is moving more quickly than with or believe one anothers faiths, but they we are. The things were doing are good, but do need to understand. Part of being at a liberal arts institution theres not sufficient urgency. None of it is sufficient to keep up with the rising tide of is that you start to see things in a much more pluralistic way, Popich said. You begin to change and Westminster is certainly not alone in that. see lots of grey in the world. You understand Gust said its important for students to that people are different, but that doesnt see themselves at the college and need role make them better or worse than me. This pluralistic view of the world comes models. in large part from Westminsters push for diSeeing someone that looks like you is a with really good way of making people not feel versity a topic that goes alienated, said Tashelle Wright, senior public inclusivity. In higher education, discussions about dihealth major and president of the Black Student Union. I dont see a lot of students that versity are often centered on how institutions reflect the communities they serve and if look like me, and the ones I do see seem like there are underrepresented groups, according they try to assimilate and they dont want to to Scott Gust, an associate dean for diversity stand out, for whatever reason that may be. for the School of Arts and Sciences. Minority students have found that, not Definitions of diversity, in order to be only are they alienated, but also have to repmeaningful, need to be about equity, fairness, resent an entire group. It is very easy to disappear and feel alienbalanced representation and opportunities, Gust said. Thats typically how we think ated when you are expected to speak for your about capital D diversity in higher ed. Its whole race, gender, class, or sexuality, said sociology and English important to consider how the school reflects Alaa double the communities theyre serving and the major. I can see that the school does work hard to welcome students of all backcommunities students come from. Gust stressed that theres a difference grounds, however, we still have a lot of work between Diversity and diversity. Capital D to do. said that Westminsters acadiversity considers issues of race, disability, demics can sometimes lack in diversity. sexual orientation and gender, among other One way schools can seek more diversity issues these are the forms of Saeed said. " hand-in-ha- is to add diversity within the subjects were said. Our textbeing taught, books need to be more inclusive, as well as the subject matter of classrooms. Some faculty also recognize this and are working to make Westminster a more representative place. Students from minority backgrounds are more likely to be recruited and stay at places where they see their cultural identity validated and affirmed, said Gust, associate dean for diversity. They see people as professors who look like them. They take classes that include content thats relevant to their community. Theres an urgency for role models. Studies have shown that this diversity in faculty is beneficial for everyone, not just minority students, according to Gust. All the evidence shows that a diverse education is a better education for everyone," Gust said. Its more reflective of what you need to know and how you can be prepared to succeed in what the world actually looks like today. President Morgan and Westminster faculty, staff and students said they hope to continually work toward a diverse, inclusive nd wi, i i ? k t ? i i i i 1 , f i jr S i j I campus. I think inclusivity is a constant process, and we cant say weve made it, said Saeed, director of spiritual life. We are trying to be inclusive. How we help all students feel welcome is going to be a very positive part of this new administration, and yet it will be challenging. ! f ' 4 Al-Bark- hot-butt- I I I i 4 on 1 a 5 aft- vAff i V t |