Miami University Considering Efforts To Improve Campus Climate

BY CHASE ENGEL, KAROLINA ULASEVICH and MARGOT AUSTIN
Miami University journalism students

Diversity continues to define Miami University President Gregory Crawford’s tenure, and stories like Jaylen Perkins happen all the time.

“I had to get used to being four of 250 in my general chemistry class last year,” Perkins said. “Like this year, three out of 250 people. And it’s just like BSAA became an outlet for me and it connected me with so many different people that have been through that and are going through that with me.”

Perkins joined the Black Student Action Association to inspire change after being neglected. Several other students, who identify as a minority on campus, also feel this way. Enough that President Crawford published a climate survey gauging inclusion on and off campus.

Kelley C. Kimple, director of Multicultural Affairs, offers guidance to these students.

“Students of color, our LGBT students and any other other marginalized population of students, typically I will hear stories about just how they don’t feel like they are welcomed into the Miami family by their white peers,” Kimple said. “Like, point blank.”

One of the havens that multicultural students can come to is the Cultural Center in Armstrong Student Center. Students can be found working and conversing for 12 hours, from open to close. According to a document brought to the Board of Trustees, an expansion to the office is being considered.

Minority faculty members also demand change. In more data brought to Miami’s Board of Trustees, 50 percent of African-American faculty reported being treated unfairly. Rodney Coates has been a member of Miami faculty for decades, and says today’s problems have systemic roots.

“Let’s be honest about it, that until and unless this institution reflects the demographics of the state at all levels, we’re going to have issues of inclusion and diversity,” Coates said.

Miami reports the current freshman class is the most diverse in the school’s history. Over 14 percent of domestic students are racial minorities. And it is only slightly smaller than the state of Ohio’s entire population, 15 percent.

Coates said it is not about the numbers; it is about the whole community having a dialogue. “All of us are a piece of this thing called diversity,” Coates said.

As summer turns to fall, as the climate chills, discourse on diversity will undoubtedly heat up.

Top photo: The Cultural Center in the Armstrong Student Center promotes diversity. -- Photo contributed by Miami University.