In 1986, Richard Light was asked a question that changed his life. He conducted more than 400 interviews and traveled to 90 college campuses seeking to answer it. Knowing that would not be enough, he enlisted dozens of colleagues and students to help gather data. When Neil L. Rudenstine became Harvard president in 1991, he dramatically expanded the agenda, inviting Light to explore educational outcomes of racial and ethnic diversity on campus. Light now has answers - answers that he expects will improve teaching and learning not just at Harvard, but at colleges across the country.
Students Speak Their Minds.
It also makes a very strong case for diversity in student admissions at selective colleges and universities. Good advising is critical for most students, but many faculty who serve as advisers don't pay as much attention to it as they should. A very important thing for a student to learn is time management. Students are overwhelmingly positive about the value of racial and ethnic diversity, with white students being the most positive about it. Surprisingly, only about 20 percent of that learning occurred in the classroom, while 80 percent occurred in residence halls and while pursuing group activities such as rehearsals for theater or dance performances.