'Inclusiveness' trumps 'diversity'
Union Leader article stirs controversy, college reacts
By Lauren Chooljian
The President's Advisory Council on Inclusiveness, led by Chairperson Dr. Denise Askin, has decided to move away from the use of the term "diversity" and instead embrace the use of "inclusive."
While the inclusiveness survey and committee were formed last year, the topic resurfaced in light of recent events between Saint Anselm and The Union Leader. Recently, the paper published an editorial attacking Saint Anselm for pursuing "diversity."
According to The Union Leader, the actions of the college "[are] going to marginalize white and straight students and ignore Catholic doctrine." Fr. Jonathan, president of the college, quickly and succinctly responded to the editorial with an Op-Ed piece of his own, defending the college with the crux of his argument being that everything at Saint Anselm is done "because we are Catholic."
Fr. Jonathan's reaction to the piece not only attempted to steer The Union Leader away from their idea of the college's mission and toward its actual mission, but also reopened the discussion about inclusiveness. The college has decided to abandon the use of the term "diversity" for reasons that are articulated by Dr. Denise Askin.
Dr. Askin believes that the word diversity is latent with baggage and is a much more cumbersome term than inclusiveness. Diversity suggests placing people side by side, and according to Dr. Askin it is, "a fact of the human condition and therefore can be defined in a variety of ways and with multiple perspectives." Inclusiveness is a better word because it speaks to the climate of the college, rather than the demographic makeup.
"Inclusiveness is all about voices," Dr. Askin says, "it is not a head count but rather a way of being."
In the minds of Dr. Askin and other administrators at Saint Anselm, there is a great difference between the terms "diverse" and "inclusive."
"Inclusiveness means all people coming to the center and participating in the center," Dr Askin said. Inclusiveness is about valuing every voice on campus and is encouraged by the expanding of the minds of the students on campus.
While the inclusiveness survey and committee were formed last year, the topic resurfaced in light of recent events between Saint Anselm and The Union Leader. Recently, the paper published an editorial attacking Saint Anselm for pursuing "diversity."
According to The Union Leader, the actions of the college "[are] going to marginalize white and straight students and ignore Catholic doctrine." Fr. Jonathan, president of the college, quickly and succinctly responded to the editorial with an Op-Ed piece of his own, defending the college with the crux of his argument being that everything at Saint Anselm is done "because we are Catholic."
Fr. Jonathan's reaction to the piece not only attempted to steer The Union Leader away from their idea of the college's mission and toward its actual mission, but also reopened the discussion about inclusiveness. The college has decided to abandon the use of the term "diversity" for reasons that are articulated by Dr. Denise Askin.
Dr. Askin believes that the word diversity is latent with baggage and is a much more cumbersome term than inclusiveness. Diversity suggests placing people side by side, and according to Dr. Askin it is, "a fact of the human condition and therefore can be defined in a variety of ways and with multiple perspectives." Inclusiveness is a better word because it speaks to the climate of the college, rather than the demographic makeup.
"Inclusiveness is all about voices," Dr. Askin says, "it is not a head count but rather a way of being."
In the minds of Dr. Askin and other administrators at Saint Anselm, there is a great difference between the terms "diverse" and "inclusive."
"Inclusiveness means all people coming to the center and participating in the center," Dr Askin said. Inclusiveness is about valuing every voice on campus and is encouraged by the expanding of the minds of the students on campus.
This article was published on 12/15/08 in the News section.
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Bill
posted 12/16/08 @ 10:52 PM EST
I applaud the College leadership for finally addressing the diversity issue at SAC; it's about time. The College needs to rediscover its mission. 100 years ago, the College was established to educate and subsequently empower the children of the mills. (Continued…)
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