On Thurs., Nov. 12 an open forum was held in the Student Union to discuss the diversity of the student body at Sonoma State. The meeting was just one part of a long running effort to improve campus diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background and sexual orientation.
"A few years ago this would not have been considered something of any importance," said Barbara Lesch McCaffry, a professor for the Hutchins School of Liberal Studies.
McCaffry was one of the many speakers at the forum who voiced their concern for the current state of diversity at Sonoma State.
McCaffry shared her observation that Sonoma State has become an institution for students from higher income backgrounds, with a predominantly white population.
The majority of forum guests agreed that a university like SSU must make it their mission to prepare students for the diverse world that lies outside of campus. They expressed their belief that the school isn't necessary living up to that goal.
"We are still seeing instances of racism and profiling on our campus. This has to stop," said Susan Moulton, professor of art history.
Moulton helped organize the forum and led a large portion of the discussion.
"Not only do we need to learn to tolerate diversity, we need to learn to love it," she said.
While many of the guests at the forum agreed the campus lacks a diverse student population, it was also brought to attention that the campus also lacks the structure and programming necessary to promote diversity.
"We need more structure for diversity as well. We need an outlet for people to share their concerns in an organized matter. Right now it is really disorganized," said McCaffry.
Beyond discussing the current diversity issues the campus is facing, forum guests made an effort to solve these problems and move in a positive direction.
However without any available funding, making progress towards diversity is more of a challenge than ever before.
"We are in a time of greatly diminished resources, but this is not a reason for us to keep from moving forward," said Moulton.
"The time for theorizing is done, and we need to start seeing some physical action," she said.
Physical progress has indeed been made, as the Academic Senate passed a resolution on Oct. 29 which "strongly urges Provost Ochoa to hire a full-time diversity coordinator for the Division of Academic Affairs."
According to Moulton, the diversity coordinator position was approved at various levels of administration, but has yet to be funded.
Many believe a full-time diversity coordinator position would bring a structure and focus to the improvement of campus diversity that currently does not exist.
The resolution also recommended that "the university find resources to fund this position that are not diverted from direct classroom instruction."
As many agreed, funding will be the biggest obstacle in the dedication of the new position.
"I support the diversity coordinator position, but we have to realize if it doesn't get funding, it's not happening," said Bruce Peterson, director of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and testing department
The belief that Sonoma State should focus not just on the recruitment of a more diverse student body, but on the retention of these diverse students as well was another idea brought up at the forum.
Students of different ethnicities or social backgrounds may come to campus, but if these students do not thrive at the university, they may not want to stay.
Bigger than any other proposed course of action, was the emphasis on student involvement.
"Student voices are powerful, and the administration really listens," said McCaffrey.
Moulton recommended that students who hold an interest in improving campus diversity voice their opinions however possible, and get in contact with a member of the faculty or administration.
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