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Faculty group RAD promotes diversity at Luther

Date 3/29/2001 12:00 AM | Topic: Features

Students concerned about diversity issues on campus may want to bring their concerns to a faculty group that can help make their voices heard. RAD, which stands for "resources and action for diversity," is an informal "organization of faculty and staff that recognizes the ideal of diversity as an essential aspect of campus life at Luther College," according to the RAD mission statement.

RAD was formed two years ago by former Luther professor Janet Gillespie after she and three other Luther faculty and staff members attended a two week conference on diversity hosted by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, which challenged participants to create projects to promote diversity on their home campuses.

RAD co-chair Novian Whitsitt, professor of Africana Studies and English, said the group is available to students experiencing "a variety of frustrations culturally or racially."

RAD was intimately involved with helping students cope with the surge in hate speech before spring break and with organizing the "Rally for Solidarity" on March 6.

"We help channel student activities in those times of crisis," said Whitsitt. "We want to show them that the faculty and staff cares, that there's somebody here to listen to their point of view."

Whitsitt said one of the main goals of the organization is to prompt conversation about diversity among the campus as a whole.

To do that, RAD works closely with the several multicultural student groups on campus, according to Terry Sparkes, RAD co-chair and professor of religion.

"We work with students from a variety of organizations so we can be aware of student concerns and get students involved in promoting diversity on campus," Sparkes said.

"We see ourselves as a place where people can address their concerns about campus religious, racial, and ethnic diversity issues," said Sparkes. "Our job is to find ways to bring those concerns to the attention of people who can do something about them."

RAD aims to be a proactive group, constantly striving to promote campus diversity.

"We work from the premise that diversity is essential in a proper learning environment," said Whitsitt. "We do whatever we can to help Luther College work harder to become a more diverse place."

One way RAD is taking action to promote diversity at Luther is by trying to organize a Diversity Week to take place on campus next fall. Some activities during the week might include speakers from different cultures, films about diversity, workshops about integrating diversity issues into the curriculum, and various other cultural events.

"Diversity is something we care deeply about," said Sparkes. "We sometimes think that promoting diversity is not a high enough priority at Luther. We want to call this to the attention of administration and make it the priority."

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Erin Brown
Chips Features Editor

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