CUSA on diversity

By: Brittany Wilkins

Posted: 4/20/09

Clarkson University has always prided itself on its personal approach to teaching and learning. For several years Clarkson University's Student Association (CUSA) has been the backbone to achieving just that. However CUSA has improvements to make. After Jennifer deCoste (Associate Vice President of Institutional Diversity Initiatives) came to talk about the importance of CUSA's diversity to reflect that of the University. A survey was taken by the Senate. The results of the survey showed numerous inconsistencies between the CUSA body and the student body make-up. The findings of this survey were compared to the findings of the campus-wide climate survey conducted in the Spring Semester 2007. Among many other things, the biggest discrepancies are the complete absence of complete populations from CUSA such as Asian-Americans. There are also an inaccurate proportion of International students, people with disabilities, people with varying religious affiliations, income brackets, and sexual orientation.

Some biases and limitations to both surveys are sample size. Out of the 32 members of CUSA, including the Executive Board and excluding Diane Kozak (CUSA Advisor) only about 19 responses were tabulated and the Executive Board members exempted themselves from taking the survey. Also, in the campus-wide climate survey only 990 responses were taken and included people from every area of the university regardless of position. No generalities can be drawn. However, it does shine some light onto how CUSA is representing the entire student body. The surveys pose to the entire student body to become more involved with CUSA and help breach these gaps. The more diverse the Senate is, the more effective solutions can be created to help our University's problems, giving all populations of this campus a voice they can relate with. Diverse representation may avoid cliques or biased decisions, and giving all populations of this campus a voice they can relate with.

It is true these changes may not happen overnight. But the work force and nation is undergoing a rapid population dynamic and the more prepared we are to work/ learn alongside diverse people, the faster we as students can progress to a brighter future.

For more information about CUSA and how to become involved contact any of our senators, advisors, and Executive Board by checking out the website: http://cusa.clarkson.edu/pages/index.php. To learn more about the campus wide survey and the Diversity Initiatives department please contact Jennifer deCoste or Vicki Clark.