Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations  provide Ithaca College an opportunity to focus on the issue of diversity. Sessions on race, racism and climate change focused on this year’s theme: “Where Do You Stand?” These sessions, in addition to the college’s five-year plan on diversity, are commendable efforts toward addressing diversity but seem limited in their goals. The college needs to ensure that the campus does not stop discussing diversity once the celebrations are over or when the five years are up.

 

Often these talks on diversity fail to go beyond the stereotypical definitions of the issue — that of race and ethnicity. While race and ethnicity remain a core aspect of diversity, the college needs to facilitate dialogue on a definition of diversity that includes talks on a diversity of thought, gender or profession.

Short sessions, though helpful, hardly deal with the complexities of diversity. An hour long session might allow participants to share some perspectives on diversity but does not allow time for reflection on those points. The concept of diversity is deeply rooted in the lessons of history; longer sessions will give facilitators the much needed time to educate participants.

By personally moderating some of these sessions, President Tom Rochon clearly demonstrates his commitment to creating a more diverse campus. Encouraging the college to actively discuss diversity throughout the semester and in the coming years is a positive start. But as the college begins to implement its new vision, faculty, staff and students are urged to keep the conversations on diversity going and open for input.