Panel considers first diversity office

By Amira Sadek
Cardinal Staff

The idea of creating a diversity office on campus was discussed on Feb. 11, at an Inter-cultural Awareness Association-hosted diversity panel event in the President’s Room.

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A panel of eight people consisted of staff members Tony Piscitiello, Lupita Garza and Chris Kendall; faculty members Dr. Scott Sorvaag and Dr. Dorthy Diehl; and students Edith Galvez, Tamika Robinson and Peter Tornquist. They received feedback and answered questions about the potential diversity office. The office would address the need to raise awareness of cultural diversity issues, primarily concerning international students and domestic students of color, according to the panelists.

Audience input varied, but primary concerns centered around the goal and focus of the office. The audience proposed creating an informal office that encouraged and helped develop the academic aspect for international and domestic students of colors’ careers at SMU. To do this, the audience suggested hiring mentors and providing workshops for staff on diversity in education. It was also suggested that the office would promote the celebration and embracing of diversity on campus.

Details such as when, where and how much the office would cost have yet to be determined, but plans are in motion.