MU minority enrollment climbs

You In Mizzou hosts forum 'Race and Politics: Does Race Matter'

By Jaleesa Garland

Published Sept. 8, 2008

Size is not the only factor that distinguishes this year's freshman class from any other in MU's history.

MU's enrollment of black and Hispanic students has increased to a level never previously seen in the school's 169-year history.  

Since fall 2006, the number of black and Hispanic students choosing to attend MU has steadily increased. Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Ann Korschgen said MU has made it a priority to recruit a diverse student body.

Efforts include hiring a coordinator for the development of a culturally diverse recruitment program, offering enrichment programs and events at MU for minority high school students and prospective minority students and developing literature in Spanish for parents of Hispanic students.

Korschgen said diversity is important because in part because research that suggests some students learn better in diverse environments and because some employers recruit more from diverse student bodies.

"Our mission is to serve and educate people from all backgrounds and ethnicities," Korschgen said.

In tribute to the increase in diversity, You In Mizzou held an open forum last Wednesday in Memorial Union. The forum challenged more than 40 students and faculty who attended to consider differing opinions and perspectives that their peers offered on the night's topic of "Race and Politics: Does Race Matter?"

Noor Azizan-Gardner, Chancellor's Diversity Initiative director of programming and professional development, graduate student Malaika Gallimore and anthropology professor emeritus Peter Gardner facilitated the event.

You In Mizzou's safe environment allowed participants to openly pose sensitive questions toward one another, such as "How is race defined?" and "What role has the media taken in relation to race and politics?"

When asked why You In Mizzou uses open dialogue sessions, Azian-Gardner said that such opportunities allow for diverse communities to be created that aren't afraid to talk about sensitive issues.

"Building a better community for MU students, faculty and staff, where diverse groups can learn together, is the main goal of You In Mizzou," Azian-Gardner said.

Gallimore said these types of forums are invaluable to students.

"You in Mizzou allows students to learn more about each other in a way that can't be done inside a classroom."