With the overwhelming number of seminars and lectures on diversity, one would think that diversity is important because it is discussed so much, but that is not the reason. A campus that has a diverse population also enjoys a diversity in perspective. Schools are realizing that diversity of thought is important to help the university move into the 21st century. It makes sense then that universities should work hard to increase the number of intelligent and talented minority students in their population. A common practice used in the recruitment of minority students is the establishment of special days when minority students visit campus.
Some schools even offer scholarships designated solely for minority students.
But all the money and minority-friendly programs will not help if schools are not committed to, and thoroughly interested in, making the college s culture more accommodating to minorities. Not only is it important that the student population be diverse, it is equally important that minorities are represented among leadership positions. On a campus, such as Auburn University, which is committed to instruction, research, and outreach, it is equally important that the faculty be diverse. It is through instructors that students are exposed to a wide-range of insights that promote an understanding of others and to dispel prejudices and stereotypes. College is about opening the mind.