NIC seeks cultural diversity

Faculty, staff plan multicultural events

By: Lindsay Boysen

Posted: 11/16/09

The faculty and staff of NIC are working toward making the college culturally diverse. Plans have already started with meetings, committees forming and events planned to achieve this goal.

The first meeting for faculty and staff was on Oct. 29, when they met with Raymond Reyes, PhD, associate academic vice president and intercultural relations at Gonzaga University, to gather information for Reyes as to what the faculty and staff would like to accomplish in making NIC more culturally diverse.

"We informed him what we need as a campus, faculty and staff," said Alex Harris, assistant dean of students. From this meeting Reyes will "outline a plan and information for putting a plan in action."

"Reyes will teach four training sessions for staff and faculty in spring semester," said Linda Michal, dean of students. In the sessions, the staff and faculty will "get trained to go out and work with the college community about tolerance.

"So many people react to diversity. It's not just about race; it's about age, sex or people with disabilities and learning to be tolerant of different human beings and what each brings with us," Michal said.

Some multicultural groups and programs at NIC include the American Indian and Minority Student Support Group, which specializes in students from diverse backgrounds. Another program is the Center for Educational Access, which helps students with disabilities.

Another way NIC plans to achieve more cultural diversity is through a committee comprising 12 students, faculty and staff to discuss ideas to further the cultural diversity at NIC.

"We would like to bring together multicultural students to get their point of view," Harris said.

Plans of a Multicultural Week at NIC is also an idea that the faculty and staff have spoke about in improving NIC's cultural diversity.

The intentions of the week are "a week of multicultural programming with different concerts at night and food and lectures or workshops during the day with different aspects of culture," Harris said. He said if plans become official, the multicultural week is said to be in late spring with hopes of it becoming an annual event at NIC.

An upcoming event to support cultural diversity at NIC is the Veteran's Meet, Greet and Eat at noon Thursday in the Powderhorn Bay Room of the SUB. The event is sponsored by the Dean of Students Office, NIC Veteran's Coordinator and Counseling Services. For information call 769-3270 or 676-7156.

According to Harris, NIC is a campus that is eager to improve its diversity.

"These initiatives will take time, but the campus climate is one to move forward to support all diversity," Harris said.