MSA leaders seek to add 'Â?diversity' to core values
Published April 20, 2004
MU's Statement of Values may be etched in stone, but the Missouri Students Association president thinks there's room on that stone for one more word.
MSA President Brian Laoruang-roch and Vice President Kara Hepper-mann said they are working to have the word "diversity" included in MU's Statement of Values.
Laoruangroch said he has received the support of many campus organizations and plans to submit his report to the Strategic Planning and Resource Advisory Council on Thursday.
"Three of their seven strategic planning goals include something about diversity," Laoruangroch said. "I think if it's important enough to put in their strategic goals, it's important enough to include in our university's values."
Heppermann said she and Laoruangroch have been contacting administrators and minority groups to get feedback on the plan.
"I think it's a great idea," she said. "Obviously this year there have been quite a few diversity issues on campus. Diversity is something the university strives to maintain and increase. In the face of the problems we've had this year, it would be a great thing to include."
Heppermann said adding "diversity" to the Statement of Values would not happen overnight.
"In some places, the values are literally engraved in stone," she said.
Laoruangroch said he hopes the addition of the word to the Statement of Values will be incorporated during the summer.
"There are many people who think this needs to be done," he said.
Laoruangroch said he has not talked to anyone who is against the idea.
"The only concern I've heard is the cost to replace the plaque with the values," he said. "If diversity is something we truly value, we shouldn't put a monetary cost on our values."