Dive Brief:
- A Dartmouth College survey of more than 1,100 students found a majority of participants want more diversity among recruitment of faculty members and undergraduate students.
- Most students, regardless of race, wanted to see the school offer more opportunities to non-white, low-income students with high academic credentials.
- Diversity among faculty appeared to be a higher priority for female students and students of color.
Dive Insight:
The Dartmouth survey reveals some surprising data about the desire for campus diversity among a wide cross section of students, but for most colleges and universities stationed in more socially conservative regions of the country, leaders still battle the challenge of making policy consistent with campus attitudes.
Some faculty members say challenging campus climates are a part of becoming a stronger individual and professional, but the media reaction and resulting decline in enrollment at several major campuses across the country shows the results of non-action, real or perceived.
A look at TheDemands.org list of requirements issued by black students at 80 campuses nationwide shows collective concern about student and faculty microaggressions, fair wages and faculty recruitment strategies, and specifies the value of independent assessment and student surveys on racial climate. Publicly disclosing the results was key; while schools cannot make students and faculty more tolerant, exposing the challenges is a meaningful start.