When campus groups feel the need to contrive a special floor to create diversity, Georgetown’s homogeneity has clearly gone too far.
The Georgetown University Student Association, the Residents of Color Council and Leaders in Education About Diversity have proposed establishing a floor specifically geared toward diversity next year. The project, termed “Diversity 7+ in Action,” would bring together students of various backgrounds with the purpose of promoting greater “understanding of all the identities and structures that constitute ‘diversity,’” according to my.georgetown.edu. Specifically, organizers intend to inform students of issues regarding diversity, combat stereotypes and prejudices and provide an open and safe environment for the discussion of diversity issues.
There are good reasons for these issues to be addressed. The first is the stunning lack of diversity on campus: while African-Americans and Hispanics combine to comprise 27 percent of the national population, they make up only about seven percent of the Georgetown community.
There is also repeated evidence of intolerance on campus. In the spring of 2004, multiple incidents of racial intolerance led to protests on Healy Lawn, which hundreds of students attended. The Department of Student Affairs reported 10 similar incidents of intolerance in the fall of 2004.
While the Diversity 7+ initiative should be commended for addressing the issue, it remains a symptom of a larger problem, not a solution. It should be a clue to Georgetown that positive action to remedy the situation is necessary, beginning with a conscious effort on the part of admissions to admit a more diverse student body.
Furthermore, dealing with diversity should not be something Georgetown students are able to avoid. Learning to understand, accept and communicate with people of different cultures and lifestyles is part of a well-rounded education and transition to modern citizenship. Rather than designating a special floor for diversity, every floor should be a “diversity floor” in our campus community.
The three organizations behind the proposal have done a service to the campus community: they have brought to the forefront an issue that desperately needs to be addressed. Ultimately, however, the onus should not be on specific student groups to solve the homogeneity issue. It should be on the administration to ensure our campus is diverse, and on each individual student to be tolerant of his or her peers.
