A Campus of Difference. . .Finding Common Ground

History of the Campus of Difference Initiative

In April, 1996, UMM began a three year collaboration with the Anti-Defamation League's A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE INSTITUTE, established in 1985 to combat prejudice and foster inter group understanding and communication. As we begin our second year, it is important to acknowledge the accomplishments and activities of our last year:

• The program's introduction in the fall of 1996 launched a campus-wide initiative asking students, faculty, and staff to take action in creating a campus community where each student can receive the full benefit of the University of Minnesota, Morris experience. Resident Advisors,Orientation Group Leaders, Student Affairs staff, the Administrative Committee,faculty, and staff were briefed and invited to join in the effort to help members of a diversse community "find common ground."

• On the first Friday of classes, the Diversity Jam idea suggested by UMM student Malinda Miller was implemented. Participants made pledges to take action on diversity issues and to work to "Find Common Ground" in the year ahead. Approximately 225 people attended, with many requests that the program continue. A total of six Diversity Jams were held during the year.

• The program targeted first year students through Orientation (85% participation rate) and Residence Life (90% of first year students live on campus). Orientation sessions included revisions of the Your New Reality and College Challenges sessions - 450 students were impacted. Residence Life programs included use of exercises from the Campus of Difference program during the first floor meetings - 550 students were impacted.

• A four hour Campus of Difference Cultural Awareness workshop was held for resident advisors, orientation group leaders, students, staff, and faculty. By the end of 1996-97, 211 people had participated in the workshops. Evaluation comments were positive and included:
  "I really appreciated the opportunity to participate in this seminar. It opened my eyes to areas I should explore more in depth. . .for my personal growth."
  "I thought that the night turned out pretty good. I especially thought that the brainstorming of actions we can take really made me think of what I've done in the past and what I can do in the future. There were some really good ideas presented."
  "I have to say that I am very overwhelmed by this program right now. I feel a bit mind-boggled. Coming from a non-racial, non-anything but white community, I feel as though this has opened my eyes."

• A Diversity Peer Educators group was created with 18 students and 7 staff collaborators participating in a 14 hour "Training the Trainers" program facilitated by the Campus of Difference staff October 10-12. Diversity Peer Educators facilitated programs for each residence hall living community during November; 19 programs were presented with 201 students participating. Evaluation comments were positive and included:
  I learned that. . ."different people know different things; to break down stereotypes; stereotypes are wrong; to be open-minded; I don't know as much as I thought about diversity; it's not necessary to know all ethnic stereotype things now - I just have to make an effort; how Asians, Hispanics and Jews have been left out of history, entertainment; to educate myself; everyone is diverse; listening is at times the most important thing you can do; the Minority Center is for everyone; we are taught non-diverse things."
  Action steps I hope to take. . .""become a DPE next year; see more foreign films; keep talking; pay attention to people who are making a difference; keep following ropes; meet others who are not similar to me; attend more diversity events; be open-minded; try to understand people for who they are, and confront bigotry and racism; get more residents involved; lead by example; accept and embrace all personalities; promote campus unity by celebrating commonality; cut homophobia big time; go to Diversity Jams!"

• A list of courses with multicultural emphasis, which had been started earlier by Fred Peterson, was updated with the help of the Dean, the Division Chairs, and faculty and publicized prior to Fall Quarter registration so students could learn about the many diverse courses which already existed. This list will continue to be updated each year and made available to students and advisors.

Background graphic courtesy of