Senate Resolution #11

DIVERSITY EDUCATION

Sponsored by: Meijken Westenskow

Hilary Hoyt

Esteban Tlatenchi

Brigham Young University

A RESOLUTION OF THE UTAH INTERCOLLEGIATE ASSEMBLY TO THE UTAH STATE BOARD OF REGENTS REQUIRING ALL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGE INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE OF UTAH TO INCORPORATE A REQUIREMENT INTO THEIR GENERAL EDUCATION CORE WHICH WOULD ADDRESS ISSUES PERTAINING TO MINORITY POPULATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.

WHEREAS, estimates indicate that by the year 2000, ethnic minorities as a whole will be a majority in the United States, and

WHEREAS, basic education in universities focuses on the contributions of majority populations, and

WHEREAS, it is true that the racial climate in the United States has improved over the past 25 years, it is also undeniable that "subtle but insidious types of racism are still pervasive in the individual, institutional , and cultural levels" (Yang 1993, p.10), and

WHEREAS, research has shown that "as knowledge about [ethnic minorities] increases, stereotyping and prejudiced behavior is reduced" (Office of Minority Affairs at the University of Michigan 1990, p.6), and

WHEREAS, research indicates the discussion of ethnic issues in universities promotes the participation of minority students in class, and

WHEREAS, diversity in education will contribute to the development of a national identity based on the experiences of all people, and

WHEREAS, 69% of Americans polled were in favor of the inclusion of diversity in basic education (Journal of Multicultural Education) and two-thirds of students questioned responded positively to diversity education when incorporated into their curricula (Steward 1994), and

WHEREAS, one independent study conducted in 1994 of a representative group of colleges and universities throughout the nation found that nearly 60% already had diversity requirements (Downey and Torrecilha 1994, p.1), and

WHEREAS, institutions of higher education in Utah must provide a competitive education synonymous with national trends, and

WHEREAS, all state institutions have classes which could incorporate a fundamental diversity education into their basic design, thereby avoiding additional general education requirements.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Utah colleges and universities initiate a requirement of diversity education into their basic instruction for students, incorporating diversity issues into their fundamental curricula,

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that diversity education requirements be determined independently by each university, in conjunction with existing general education requirements,

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution take effect for entering freshmen by fall semester of the year 2002.