Institute Small Group 7 Responses

Each NASPA Multicultural Institute Small Group was asked during their final session to answer the questions, "What kinds of adaptations (personally and professionally) do we need to make to reflect an understanding of cultural diversity? What are some concrete steps you can take to make these adaptations?"

· Want to see more positive assessment. We always start with the negative. It puts us on the defensive.
· We need some basic education, definition, for terms. People are too afraid to ask especially when we are so far along in the conversation. This is necessary to move onto the deeper conversation. Within this, it is important to create an environment where people can more freely reveal their inadequacies without being judged or labeled.
· One of the challenges of getting your institution on board is engaging the upper levels. They have much influence.
· More distinction between “diversity” and “multiculturalism”.
· We need to do a better job of assessment in this area. What are the concrete tools to use to do that? That will help us as organizations to set our overall goals. This will help our effort to be more systematic rather than episodic.
· More dialogue. We first need to understand our environment then assess how we respond to those needs. How well do they align?
· We must create forums on our campuses for students, faculty, and staff.
· Try to affect those around us. Do little things, consistently, that work on one’s sphere of influence. Only operating within one’s sphere of influence can be very frustrating.
· How do we get people to talk the talk and walk the walk?
· It’s all in the mission statements but how do we hold each other accountable? Do we do a diversity “report card” for each unit?
· Waiting to go to a conference can be untimely. There are students out there right now who need us and a connection. We complicate the means of addressing diversity. We need to be having the one-on-one conversations with our students.
· We have to exercise patience with the process. Generally, we’re not patient. Before a pilot program or initiative as been assessed, we’re often off designing the next program or initiative.
· We have to impress it on ourselves that it’s everyone’s responsibility, not just specific offices or minority staff. It can be complicated when minority students tend to go to minority faculty and staff. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. Everybody has got to engage in this work, not just minority staff.
· We need to get the support for and develop a multicultural plan for our departments. It has to be more than just a statement. It must outline assessment, partners, development plan, initiatives, etc.