It's true, diversity brings with it greater freedom. But this increased diversity and freedom also result in greater demands. And can especially be seen on the campuses of universities, across the United States and beyond. The final semester of the last academic year was a stormy one, especially at the Claremont Colleges of Los Angeles. Students spurred on by their new-found freedom and diversity began making demands and it doesn't seem as though there is any end in sight in the near future.
The students' demands
Last semester, the students began several campaigns protesting for various needs that they believe need to be met.
All of these campaigns form part of their main goal, having universities recognize the identity and worth of every single student, regardless of race, background, sexual orientation or any other reason.
Last semester, as part of the "Black Lives Matter" campaign, hundreds of students deregistered from the sociology classes, claiming that they weren't a reflection of reality and that they weren't open to diversity and change. At Claremont McKenna students boycotted a live-streamed presentation by Heather Macdonald, a critic of the "Black Lives Matter" movement.
On other campuses, students are demanding greater control over staff appointment. At the University of Chicago, the students have submitted a list of 50 new subjects that they would like to have added to the curriculum.
These include subjects that show greater diversity such as the history of parts of the world such as Islam and Asia.
The students want to feel a sense of belonging. They want their identities to be respected and they don't want to feel like outsiders in the American society. So essentially, the students are demanding that everything about US campuses is going to be revised.
Looking forward: The Universities' perspectives
As the start of the new semester looms, universities across the United States are planning and debating ways forward. Many professors have spent the summer holiday planning for the next semester and the changes that it will bring with it. Several professors have met with student organizations to gain an understanding of their demands.
The universities are beginning to recognize that it is not enough to simply admit a diverse body of students to their study programs. It is becoming more and more essential that universities provide support systems for each and every one of the students. Other lecturers such as Dr. Dwain Plaza of Oregon State University have begun offering more diverse subjects such as "African-American Resistance in the Era of Donald Trump".
The upcoming semester is sure to be an important one, one that will be remembered by history. This time is more important than the time during the protests of the '60s. It's a time where true equality and diversity is being created and established for future generations.
