Diversity concepts and applications

Clearly, most American universities and colleges require diversity in their respective student bodies for three reasons. First, administrators and faculty obviously feel that having a student body made up of individuals from different racial backgrounds will contribute to more understanding and appreciation by the students, thus paving the way for closer ties among white, black and Asian students. Second, by having students from diverse cultures, i.e. those not normally associated with white America, all students will benefit by learning to appreciate the differences between various social groups. And third, universities and colleges feel that a diverse student body makes it possible for all to achieve success while also helping those with fewer social/economic choices and options. As to the pros and cons of initiatives aimed at creating diverse student bodies at major American universities and colleges, administrators at the University of Michigan "worry that next year's entering class will be less diverse" as a result of Michigan's 2006 ban on affirmative action, while other officials "worry that they will lose top minority candidates to selective private universities" (Lewin, 2007, Internet) without initiatives that give preference to blacks and Asians over white students. Evan Caminker, dean of the University of Michigan Law School, points out that when affirmative action programs are eliminated, it might lead to a less diverse student body which he sees as "a big step backward," especially when institutions no longer have the "special responsibility for ensuring success" (Lewin, 2007, Internet). Personally, regardless of race or ethnic background, if an individual wishes to attend a major university, admittance should be based solely on scores, personal achievements and intelligence and not on a person's lack and/or possession of social/economic advantages. For example, if a student is qualified in all areas to attend the University of Michigan, he/she should be admitted without any consideration of race or ethnic background.