In 2011, when young people are handed the question of what they will do with the rest of their life their answer is often influenced by the egalitarian belief that is held by society that every person should have access to a college education. This belief is meant to create opportunity and eventually a better nation for our future generations, the notion which is beneficial in nature is undermined when put into practice. The expectation of all populations receiving a higher education degree is short sighted, especially when considering the diversity of the country. Sure, if we had one sort of population making up our country, we would not only be boring but also able to achieve our dream. The reality is that we are a melting pot or as some people refer to it, a stew of many people from all walks of life. I believe that the stew representation is more of an accurate description of our country, in the pot exist the separate entities that make up the substance such as the meat, vegetables and broth. Despite the intention of staying isolated, the tastes of each of the entities flow together and eventually become a great soup that is hearty and filling. This concept of a delicious soup is what we intend for our country to be, equally represented and a continuous flow of influence from each of the groups. However this is difficult when higher education institutions with influence from the government, perpetuate the discrimination of classism, sexism and racism.
The idea of creating a society in which all people were educated would consist of a variety of institutions promoting a love of learning, creativity and personal development for all populations. However, to some underrepresented populations the campus climate may seem cold and unwelcoming. This appearance may manifest itself by the lack of cultures centers or developing student organizations where minorities are able to find a support group to help navigate through the obstacles. Without these systems of support in place, it is likely that many students will feel isolated or segregated making it difficult for them to learn and develop an affinity for the institution. The lack of resources for these populations of students are perpetuated by the institution in a variety of ways. Examples of this would be admissions practices as well as hiring processes. If faculty and staff are not representative of the student body regarding diversity then mentors and creators of diversity programming do not exist to help contribute to the development of a welcoming campus climate for the respective student populations.
The institutions are also influenced by the policies of the federal government. In the mid 1900’s, the egalitarian belief began to implement itself into society through the opportunities made available by the government. These financial opportunities such as grants, scholarships and work-study programs provided the necessary funding for students of minority populations to access higher education. These programs were slashed during the late 1900’s to create a silent revolution of the borrowing money for higher education to only have to pay thousands of dollars back that had accumulated high interest. This revolution negated the belief that education for all would create a better country. It created the perception that higher education would only benefit the individual. With the lack of support from the government and respective states, colleges and universities had to look for other resources to fund their endeavors. This fell on the weighted shoulders of students and their families. Research has found that only 4% of students can afford to pay for a private education. This, of course, does not address public institutions but it is known information that the gap of cost between private and public is slowly decreasing. The financial policies of the federal government and higher education institutions have made it difficult for many populations to receive a degree from a college or university.
Institutions of higher education along with the government need to look for a solution on how to implement change that will benefit all populations. The resolution is complicated but is necessary to create opportunities. The solution can consist of hiring a more diverse faculty and staff who will create areas of comfort for underrepresented populations. It can also consist of developing programs that will provide access; examples of these programs would be the Groups program at Indiana University or the Step Program at George Mason University for first generation students. These programs provide academic and social support who may be struggling with balancing their new roles as college students with their previous role at home. These programs may also include financial support which is often necessary. It is vital for colleges and universities to be reflective in their practices and goals. I hope that the research that has been done provides a strong base for progressive institutions to implement change within their structure. This is the important piece for higher education organizations. The transformation will not solely come from creating a more diverse student body or staff. It has to implement itself within the structure. By altering the structure, administrators can reflect the change from within to incorporate a more wholesome and diverse vision in all facets of the university.
The change does not have to come from above; it can also be created with individuals. When an adult can reach out to a younger student and mentor them through the barriers in their life, it can create a resounding impact on that young person. By providing advice and support, the student can navigate their life with blinders on towards their success. It is vital for those that have the means to reach out to those that might be struggling; it is the notion that can create a better opportunity for all. It is described best by Danny Thomas, “Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others”.
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