Are University Organizations As Diverse As We Think?
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Politics and Activism

Are University Organizations As Diverse As We Think?

Campus organizations and Greek life should try to appeal to all types of students

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Are University Organizations As Diverse As We Think?
Wikimedia Commons

There is no question that campus diversity in organizations, whether that include sororities, fraternities or political clubs, should be open to diversity and to different kinds of races, ethnicities, religions, nationalities, genders and sexual orientations.

The university has become a place of increasing diversity, and no longer appeals mainly to the wealthier sectors of society. More and more working class people are entering the university system and engaging within their campus communities so as to engage in the “college experience.” And with that increased engagement, comes a vast array of people.

However, if you go on YouTube and search any sorority or fraternity recruitment video, or look up Greek life parties, it is hard to not notice an unsettling and discouraging pattern. The majority of the people in these videos are white, primarily with blonde hair, and with maybe one person of color here and there. Yet, if these are the videos that are trying to recruit new members for these organizations, this could be problematic and possibly discourage a large number of people of color from wanting to join.

I know personally, as a Latina, when looking to join any organization, I am apt to choose one that is more diverse in its membership and one in which I would feel comfortable in. The beauty of being a student at San Diego State University is the fact that there are so many different types of students attending campus, in regards to race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, religion, etc.

Yet sometimes, while I do think this university is quite inclusive in accepting students of different types of backgrounds, there are glaring disparities in the types of people who make up the Associated Student body, as well as sorority and fraternity organizations.

And while that is not to say that there are no people of color in Greek life or student government, the disproportionate rate is glaringly obvious, as seen in recruitment videos, photos taken at parties, or looking at students who hold official positions within the university, and as a result leads to a lack of cultural sensitivity on campus and puts issues that affect people of color both tangibly and psychologically on the back burner or to be trivialized by non-people of color who do not understand the complexity of the issue.

We can debate in small meetings, on social media, in classes and through campus dialogue all we want about how offensive having an Aztec as a mascot for our university is both problematic and offensive, but without having people in student government who accurately represent the vast student population and don’t understand why such a matter may affect particular groups of students a certain way, then it is unfair to not have more diverse representation in said organizations.

And when sororities and fraternities across the country on various university campuses hold "Cinco de Drinko" parties and parties where members dress up as offensive stereotypes of Mexicans, holding signs such as “I don’t cut grass, I smoke it,” then it begs the question as to whether these Greek organizations are a.) inclusive, and b.) appropriate organizations that should be given legitimacy from universities.

With all of this said, this is not meant to demonize or shame Greek life organizations or student governments, but just point to the question of whether these kinds of institutions are as inclusive as they should be. Ultimately, cultural sensitivity goes hand in hand with diversity and having minority groups be represented in all types of university organizations and institutions.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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