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Special-interest
groups work
to increase diversity awareness
Malcolm
Smith - Features Beat
Although
many students think of “diversity” only in terms of black
and white, the term encompasses more than racial makeup.
Several special-interest groups at Appalachian State University are
attempting to make the student body more aware of what diversity entails.
“[We’re] not as concerned about numbers,” said Gus Pena,
member of the Hispanic Students Association (HSA). “Our objective
is to educate and share our culture with others.”
HSA achieved its goal by hosting a Latin dance party. The dance shared
the Latin culture with faculty and a wide variety of the student body.
“A lot of students showed up and [the proceeds] went to the Hospitality
House,” said Pena, a Nicaragua native.
Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Pena has witnessed a change in
students’ attitudes. “A lot of people are angry; people are
angry with each other,” said Pena. “I have seen a lot people
get singled out.”
For Joe Kellum, president of Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians and Allies Associated
for Diversity (B-GLAAD), he grew up like many white, middle-class Appalachian
students.
Yet Kellum views diversity on campus as passionately as anyone.
“Diversity is tantamount,” said the junior. “It is of
great importance to get the views of the middle class. A lot of viewpoints
are not heard. It is important to raise the people’s comfort level.”
B-GLAAD provides information, emotional support, acceptance and understanding
of all sexual orientations.
As privacy of citizens becomes an issue Americans must contend with,
Kellum said he is not supportive of government intervention in citizens’
private lives.
“I am personally not willing to sacrifice my liberties [for the
sake of increased security],” said Kellum.
Kellum said the opinions of B-GLAAD members range from the far right
to the extreme left. But diversity within the organization remains a
focus for the group.
“There is a huge spectrum of opinion within B-GLAAD. The opinion
within the group is pretty split,” said Kellum. “Everyone
should be willing to support diversity.”
Tiffany Fant, president of the Appalachian chapter of the NAACP, has
another perspective of diversity on campus.
“[For me,] first, there is the stigma of being a female, and race
[contributes] as another disadvantage,” said the Charlotte native.
Fant currently works with the Multicultural Task Force to recruit more
students of diverse backgrounds. The 20-member team of Appalachian students
recruits minority students at the high school level. “Change is
inevitable,” said Fant on diversifying Appalachian. “[College]
might as well [be preparation] for the future. Fear comes about from
a lack of knowledge.
“Experiencing different things will resolve fear.”
Ian Mance, president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and
Student Government Association senator, has witnessed an increase in
discrimination around campus as a result of the terrorist attacks, he
said.
“Everyone dealt with the attacks in certain ways,” said Mance.
“Some groups raised money for [the victims], others raised hate.”
The ACLU recently has taken issue with the racial profiling of Americans
with Middle Eastern roots and the intrusion of civil rights. “There
needs to be a balance in the increase of surveillance and privacy,”
said Mance.
Paul Funderburk, also affiliated with both the ACLU and SGA, agrees.
“There also needs to be more balanced reporting. Reports from the
Middle East should include U.S. foreign policies and a review of the
trade embargo,” he said.
Courtesy
ACT
Service-learning
students aim to help agencies accomplish what they ordinarily would not
be able to accomplish on their own.
Service learning
broadens students’ awareness of issues
April
Klaassen - Features Beat
Returning
home from a long Saturday of volunteering at the Boone Crisis Pregnancy
Center, junior Erin Clonch flopped on the couch to take a breather and
soak in the events of the day.
Students who participate in service-learning activities may have similar
experiences.
After working only a few hours at the Boone Crisis Pregnancy Center, Clonch,
a social work major, recognized the impact of her service-learning class.
“It’s given me a glimpse of what it will be like to be a social
worker, dealing with teen pregnancy and the different agencies to help
those in need,” she said.
Required to volunteer 40 hours, Clonch feels the project is worth the
time spent. “It’s time-consuming because of everything else
with work and classes, but I’m enjoying it and I’m glad I’m
doing it. I think I will hopefully be able to do it [work at the Crisis
Pregnancy Center] more next semester,” said Clonch.
Senior anthropology major Zaneta Wood, who is currently working on a video
project to promote service learning, feels the program allows students
to gain experience and an idea for their career. “They can put theory
into practice,” she said.
“They take what they learn in classes and apply it to community service.
They can look into career options. The projects can reinforce their decisions
or they can decide to change,” said Wood.
She also feels the program allows students to experience the “real
world” so they will be less apprehensive when they graduate from
college, said Wood.
“It’s something different than just sitting in class and taking
notes. It’s a great transition for students who want to get out in
the real world. It helps with the transition,” she said.
The service-learning staff tries to broaden students’ view of the
world and make them aware of issues.
“Another thing that we hope students get out of doing service-learning
projects is, because they are so actively engaged with the agencies, that
they’re going to learn more about the social issues that are going
on in our community and in the world,” said Shari Galiardi, service-learning
coordinator for ACT.
Students not only benefit from gaining experience and awareness but also
from learning to view issues from all perspectives.
“We’re hoping that by being in these classes and getting students
involved in issues, such as poverty, that they’ll understand there’s
more behind poverty than just economics,” said Galiardi.
“There’s a lot of history, a lot of politics, sociology, psychology
– all of that stuff is interwoven together to cause poverty. ‘Service
learning’ is one term that means so much.”
Students also develop critical-thinking skills. “One of the most
important aspects of service learning is to not just do the work, but
really think about what you’ve done and reflect on it through journals
and discussions,” said Galiardi.
While students gain experience, the agencies they work with also profit.
“The outcomes from the agencies are phenomenal too,” said Galiardi.
After working with students from Dr. Norman Clark’s Theories of Practice
and Persuasion class, Compton Fortuna, assistant director of the Hunger
Coalition, wrote Galiardi a note stating, “The students of Dr. Clark’s
class were absolutely amazing.
“They sent our food recovery program light years ahead of where we
could’ve taken it.”
Service-learning students can help agencies accomplish what they ordinarily
would be unable to accomplish on their own. “These are types of projects
that often agencies don’t have a lot of time to do because they are
more worried about the face-to-face contact with their clientele,”
said Galiardi.
“Making ends meet with regards to budget and the daily grind is what
they need to focus on. The agency benefits from the skills the students
are bringing to the experience.”
Service learning can also benefit faculty and departments, said Galiardi.
While service learning allows faculty to develop a more powerful curricula
and the chance to participate in community service, it also boots the
reputations of the departments and university.
“As more students hear about this and know that they’re going
to get a solid education here at App State, then it can increase public
image,” said Galiardi.
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