Diversity Forum opens campus dialogue

The semester's first meeting of the Tech Diversity Forum took place on Sept. 14, bringing together representatives from student organizations, academic departments and university staff to discuss issues of diversity on campus.

"We strive to promote dialogue by providing an open forum where individuals can raise and explore a broad range of diversity issues impacting our campus," said Oscar Vargas, the vice chair of the Diversity Forum.

Currently chaired by Charles Brown, the Diversity Forum was first created by Larry Stewart in 1996. Representatives drawn from student, faculty and staff organizations all participate in this monthly discussion.

"We then take the discussion and relay [it] to the office of the [undergraduate student body president, Alison Graab]. If the president [feels] like there is a pertinent issue to address, then that would generate a program to engage that issue," Vargas said.

The other half of the Diversity Forum consists of hosting town hall meetings where current topics are discussed between experts and the campus community.

"A huge [town hall meeting] held in the past was over the Georgia State Flag. There was a senator for changing the flag and a senator against changing the flag. Typically that's one way we set it up. You have an issue and you bring in two people defending each side of the issue. It is an open forum to ask questions and [get answers]," Vargas said.

According to Vargas, there needs to be more of a flow of information to the students.

"The administration has some ideas trying to push this [concern], but there is a small disconnect [on the impact for the student body]. I would like to see diversity talked about more in the classroom. At our institution, we have a lot of group projects, and I think that is a perfect place to start plugging in [the ideas of] Finding Common Ground," Vargas said.

Finding Common Ground, hosted in October, is a large-scale project initiated by SGA, in coordination with the Diversity Forum.

"It's going to be a series of dialogues,... 50 students each, with consultants that [will help] facilitate dialogue. Questions [will be] posed to the students on student responsibility for interaction, promoting communication between different facets of the community and [similar topics]," Graab said.

According to Graab, being able to have dialogues and civil discourse is important outside of Tech, as well.

"It's important for the workplace, it's important because we are shaping leaders in the technological world, it's important because of current world issues. You will be more successful if you can understand other people's perspectives and utilize those to be a more well-rounded individual," Graab said.

According to Graab, Tech is changing and that's not specifically unique to our college. "There's a trend that is talking about differences and similarities and how to have civil discourse on difficult issues. It's important for students to understand, there are resources on campus relating to diversity and helping students connect to other students," Graab said.

One resource is associate dean of students and director of Diversity Programs Stephanie Ray. Ray's position was directly created by the early efforts of the Diversity Forum, and she served as an advisor to the forum in years past.

The next meeting for the Diversity Forum will be held in October. "We had several individuals representing different organizations and departments on campus. We are still searching for more individuals to represent student organizations or departments on campus," Vargas said.