Efforts to increase diversity should be examined in light of this broader understanding. A truly diverse higher education arena will provide fertile ground for the robust exchange of ideas, and benefits will accrue to all parties. Students benefit by generally exhibiting greater active-thinking processes and demonstrating higher levels of intellectual engagement and motivation. They possess an increased racial and cultural awareness and support of racial understanding, as well.
Society also benefits by having an educated citizenry with greater cross-cultural competence.
Oregon University System Students Total enrollment of students of color increased by nearly 500 students in the last year, from 7,963 in fall 1998 to 8,441 in fall 1999. This report provides the first data available on OUS staff diversity, which are therefore viewed as baseline information. Institutions Each of the OUS institutions employs a variety of initiatives to enhance diversity on its campus.