Diversity Dimension Report
University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
Foundations Institutions ensure that all first-year students experience diverse ideas, worldviews, and cultures as a
means of enhancing their learning and preparing them to become members of pluralistic communities. Whatever
their demographic composition, institutions structure experiences in which students interact in an open and civil
community with people from backgrounds and cultures different from their own, reflect on ideas and values
different from those they currently hold, and explore their own cultures and the cultures of others.
Committee Leader:
John Cook, Assoc Professor
Sergio Martinez, Director of Student Life
Committee Members:
Donna Burnside, Assistant Professor, Communication
Eunice Cossio, Student Development Specialist II
Marti DiGregorio, Program Director, Special Events
Margie Mancillas, Resource Development and Research
David Marquez, Coordinator - Judicial Affairs
Heather Olague, Student Development Specialist II
Betsy Price, Part Time Faculty Support
FoE Diversity Dimension Report for UTB/TSC
The performance indicators for the Diversity Dimension require that the University analyze its performance to
provide structures through which students are exposed to diverse ideas, values and cultures as well as
demographic diversity. In this section we will examine first year students' opportunities to be exposed to diverse
ideas, to interact with people who are different than they, and to understand the standards of conduct for a civil
campus community. The committee report below focused on efforts in both the academic affairs and student
affairs arenas.
The results of the both the new student and faculty and staff survey indicate moderate success, with all responses
regressing toward the mean (3=moderately [addressing the issue]). For all standard questions, means ranged
from 2.56 to 3.53. The scale was 1 being the lowest possible score and 5 being the highest. The number of first
year student responses was 171 and represents 10.5% of the targeted student population. 237 first year faculty
responded, representing 13.7% of the targeted faculty population. Responses are Appendix A at the end of this
document. Since responses were so limited in the student sample, the Diversity Dimension Committee conducted
a student focus group of 22 first year students. The entire transcript is at the end in Appendix B. We found five
things notable: (1) most who spoke declared they expected to be exposed to diversity and felt they had been in
classes, (2) one black student felt that all the focus was on Hispanic culture and the only discussion of the African
American experience was focused on slavery, (3) students felt the extracurricular activities would be better
attended if a student personally invited them, and (4) Many first year students are uncomfortable with the college
environment as compared to high school especially if they are enrolled in all the large lecture classes first where
interaction with others is more uncomfortable for them and they don't feel inclusion. Finally, (5) The SPCH 1315
course, which is an applied communication/first year experience course, is not a course to which first year students
are being directed nor advised to take early in their tenure at UTB/TSC.
Current Situation: Academic Affairs
General Education Core
The General Education Core Curriculum requires a selection of courses that are designed to expose first year
students to diverse subjects that can expose them to diverse peoples and ideas. The courses reflect a typical core
with courses in: speech, behavioral science, art(s) appreciation, social studies, English composition and literature,
modern languages, science, mathematics, and humanities. The goals and objectives of these courses are within
the scope to expose students to diverse ideas, values and cultures. Examples are as follows. The requisite History
1302 course for first year students includes an objective which reads: "Students will gain an understanding of the
development of identities and cultures of American ethnic groups, American institutions and principles." The
Physical Anthropology course for first year students familiarizes students with a variety of ideas and theories, such
as evolutionary theory, sexual selection and the biological basis of life as well as gene-culture co-evolution. The
introduction to Sociology course description says that the course "exposes first year students to culture and
socialization and the social construction of knowledge; education and religion; class, race and gender stratification;
global inequality and more.."As fitting examples of diversity context in general, one might note that the required
history courses include how various groups shaped the thinking of this country, how popular music reflected social,
political and cultural issues, and addresses issue such as civil rights and immigration. Social issues, big business,
and imperialism are also addressed. In the humanities, music appreciation courses also expose students to many
different cultures. In speech, students learn the impact of gender and culture on communication patterns. Without
citing every course, it is clear that the core curriculum in its content exposes first year students to differing views,
values, and cultural influences.
Diverse Faculty
The faculty at UTB have diverse backgrounds. The EEOC data for faculty indicates that our full time faculty is
comprised of 55.0% White - Non-Hispanic, 1.3% Black - Non-Hispanic, 34.9% Hispanic, 8.5% Asian or Pacific
Islander, 0.3% American Indian. In this regard, professors from other countries can provide rich experiences for
students as they teach courses with their unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas and meet students in office
hours and other campus activities.
First Generation American Students
In addition, many students are first-generation college and American students and as such are exposed to differing
viewpoints and experiences of faculty with advanced degrees as they acculturate to college life in the U.S.
Civic Engagement
Many faculty members employ civic engagement/service learning activities as part of the curriculum of their class.
This takes students out of the classroom and into the community. Many of the activities expose students to
different socioeconomic and cultural groups. Civic Engagement provides opportunities for students to interact with
faculty, non-profit professionals, and businesses leaders off campus. While the student population is fairly
homogeneous and similar to the surrounding community, service learning still optimizes the opportunity to interact
with people who are in different stages of their lives, giving them a perspective of how differently people in their
own community live, work and play.
Communication Department Difficult Dialogues
The Difficult Dialogues Initiative, sponsored by a generous grant from the Ford Foundation, has provided symposia,
town meetings, theatrical productions and Free Speech Alleys (open for speakers to express their views on
controversial topics). All of these provide a diverse venue in which students have the opportunity to discuss the
very essence of diversity issues. These "difficult dialogues," provided by the communication program have
addressed such topics as (1) Is the US ready for a woman or minority president? (2) World religions [three times]
(3) Immigration issues and the border fence [seven times] (4) LGBT issues (5) domestic violence, (6) teen
pregnancy, (7) machismo/marianismo, (8) sexual assault, and (9) date rape, among others.
In addition, the communication program sponsored non-partisan MEET THE CANDIDATES events to bring national,
state, county, and local politicians to campus to debate the issues and answer questions. While none of this was
exclusively for first year students, it was certainly available to all and the issues of diversity were well addressed by
programs in academic affairs. It is equally true that Student Affairs offers programs which value diversity.
Current Situation: Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs has many programs that are directed towards providing students with diverse
situations and opportunities to explore diverse experiences.
Student Health Services
The mission of Student Health Services is to provide compassionate, non-judgmental services and through their
involvement in campus activities, promote respect and appreciation for diversity. Some of the programs they
sponsor are:
• Black History Month
• Safe Space initiative for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) students;
o Safe Space is a program designed to train volunteer Staff and Faculty members to act as advisors to students
dealing with GLBT issues.
The Safe Space Advisory Committee is composed of staff, faculty and students of diverse sexual orientation, whose
mission is:
• To serve as advocates for matters of concern to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, (GLBT) persons, across
the UTB/TSC campus community.
• To provide a welcoming, visible and tangible support to GLBT persons including those who are questioning their
sexual orientation or are inter-sexed;
• To promote opportunities that increase awareness of GLBT issues and concerns, such as discrimination and
harassment;
• To help ensure that the UTB/TSC programs and services are inclusive and supportive of GLBT issues,
perspective and concerns;
• To provide access to a "safe" campus and forums for confidential discussion, support and resource information;
• To promote and support self-acceptance and healthy self-concepts among GLBT persons.
• To promote healthy relationships characterized by mutual respect and understanding.
• Collaborating with community agencies in activities that promote wellness for all.
Disability Services
• Celebrate an annual Accessibility Awareness Week which includes programs and activities designed to help
focus interest on disability and disability issues across the campus community. (This year these activities included
a movie seen by several hundred students; a panel discussion webcast live; an ASL talent night that showcased the
beauty of American Sign Language; an awareness fair seen by hundreds showing Braille, simulating dyslexia, etc.;
and an Open House visited by students and staff. The Collegian included one article and more are anticipated.)
• Participate in new faculty orientation with a 15 minute presentation and question and answer session. This is
important to answer any questions on issues related dealing with students with disabilities.
• Include a statement on disabilities for use in each professor's syllabiConduct boutique trainings for departments
on American Sign Language and working with the deaf
• Notify instructors in advance of deaf students in their class and of available information on working with
interpreters
Career Services
Career Services fosters diversity by bringing companies, agencies and graduate schools form different parts of the
State and Country. While in contact with students they instill a sense of pride in students by valuing their bicultural/bi-lingual background. Sessions with job seekers provides them with guidance about appreciating and
welcoming diversity as they seek employment.
Orientation
Currently Orientation does not offer any presentations or activities to promote diversity awareness. However,
through the discussions with this self study, the staff has seen the need to incorporate diversity into Orientation
and will consider adding a presentation or activity that will introduce students to the issues of diversity and its role
as university students and adults.
Multicultural Services and International Students
The International students are very active and sponsor campus wide events such as:
• International Education Week - A week long event that invites the campus community to experience diversity
via a variety of venues, movies, discussions with international students, and a smorgasbord of international foods
and drinks. The international student club sponsors the event and coordinates all of the events.
• Hispanic Heritage Month - This project is jointly sponsored by faculty, Student Affairs personnel and students
and includes many activities about the Hispanic culture in the Valley and the culture of our Mexican neighbor right
across the river from campus.
• Chinese New Year - Student organizations promote this event by organizing a variety of booths in the social
campus areas with food, music, and other activities. All this with the purpose for promoting better understanding
of Chinese culture.
Office of Student Life
The Office of Student Life strives to create a campus community of engaged learners by providing social, cultural,
intellectual, recreational, artistic, leadership, group development, campus and community service, and
entertainment programming. Our goal is to stimulate students to reach beyond their classroom experience and
embrace the diverse learning and leadership development opportunities made possible through the events and cocurricular programs offered by our department and the University.
The Office of Student Life engages in various types of programming for students on campus to promote
multicultural appreciation and learning. While this is an area of importance, there is room for improvement in
providing additional programming as it relates to promoting Diversity.
• The Office of Student Life and The Fine Arts Department work with their student performers showcased at
different functions such as Mr. Amigo. Mr. Amigo promotes Cultural Awareness through Charro Days.
• The Office of Student Life sponsored the Rocky Horror Show during Halloween, a play starring a transsexual
main character.
• The Office of Student Life has a diversity statement for all Registered Student Organizations (RSO) that states
that university sponsored clubs must follow Title V requirements regarding diversity in order to establish a club at
UTB/TSC.
• When creating activities in Student Life, the Wellness Wheel Model is used and at least 3 points on the wheel
must be touched on during any programming event. One of the dimensions on the wellness wheel is Cultural. The
cultural dimension recognizes and appreciates the differences between cultures, races, gender and GLBT issues. It
includes the desire to learn how differences enrich, not separate us.
• Leadership and Mentorship Program partnered with Dr. Wasike, a communication professor from Nigeria, to
present a movie related to African American issues.
• The Office of Student Life promoted and attended Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.
• Leadership and Mentorship Program sponsored an annual movie and discussion on Dr. Hector P. Garcia, which
talks about racism during the 50's against Hispanics and Mexicans.
• The Student Government Association sponsored Diversity week, which entailed a series of events focusing on
various religions, disability, cultural, and GLBT issues.
Residence Life
The mission statement for Residence Life fosters a respect for self and others.
The Safe Space Advisory Committee is composed of staff, faculty and students of diverse sexual orientation, whose
mission is:
1. To serve as advocates for matters of concern to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, (GLBT) persons, across
the UTB/TSC campus community.
2. To provide a welcoming, visible and tangible support to GLBT persons including those who are questioning
their sexual orientation or are inter-sexed;
3. To promote opportunities that increase awareness of GLBT issues and concerns, such as discrimination and
harassment;
4. To help ensure that the UTB/TSC programs and services are inclusive and supportive of GLBT issues,
perspective and concerns;
5. To provide access to a "safe" campus and forums for confidential discussion, support and resource
information;
6. To promote and support self-acceptance and healthy self-concepts among GLBT persons.
7. To promote healthy relationships characterized by mutual respect and understanding.
Residence Life often will host programs that highlight diversity through music, food and multi-media. For example
the Cine Sol film festival (a film festival that highlights independent movies created by Latino artist) as well as an
Art show that highlighted women artists was sponsored at the Student Union.
As part of training for Resident Assistants and others who work with students in the residence halls, participants
play the game Bafa Bafa, an interactive role playing where students adopt a different culture and interact in role
playing. The intent is to demonstrate how easy it is to misunderstand other cultures and what needs to happen to
live together peacefully. This is a game that has been used by industry and non-profits for training staff. At UTB,
it has proven to be successful for students to gain a great sense of perspective regarding this topic.
Wellness Wheel Model offers an integrated overview of human life. The harmonious balance of these life functions
results in good health and wellbeing. The model has six dimensions; physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual,
social and occupational. When creating activities in Residence Life, the Wellness Wheel is used and at least 3 points
on the wheel must be touched on during any programming event. One of the dimensions on the wellness wheel is
Cultural. The cultural dimension recognizes and appreciates the differences between cultures, races, gender and
GLB issues. It includes the desire to learn how differences enrich, not separate us.
Campus Recreation
• Offers student staff training on Diversity and working with students from different backgrounds in REK
environment.
STING Success Peer Mentor Program
First Year Success Program offered to students registered for Developmental Courses in reading, writing or math.
• Peer Mentors trained on diversity issues.
• Students discuss diversity as course topic in class.
At Issue: Student Participation
Clearly the campus offers events and class material for meeting the diversity indicators.
While we don't have hard data for all events, it is the consensus of the committee and some interested parties that
events promoting diversity are not well attended. The driving force seems to be credit—whether that is class
credit, extra credit or requisite attendance as part of the requirements of a scholarship or stipend.
This is particularly disquieting since only about 40% of first year students hold jobs. The question is, given the
average semester hour load it 12 hours and 60% are not holding down jobs, what are they doing with their spare
time?
Results
The results of this Dimension Committee's examination of Diversity efforts show a consistent median score on
surveys. Although there are many initiatives being done, the impact is not as profound as would be expected.
Hence the committee is proposing a campus wide effort to define and coordinate activities between Academic
Affairs and Student Services in order to reinforce and amplify each other's initiatives.
Recommendations: Where do we go from here?
1. Departments assess and evaluate their core and required courses where they can inject in the course goals and
objectives specific exercises in diversity.
2. General Educational Core curriculum planners collaborate to insert a campus wide reinforcement in all these
courses about diversity issues.
3. Ask that departments include in their ongoing assessments a section to measure how successful they are to
instill in their students a sense of awareness for diversity.
4. Encourage diverse faculty to interact with students in office hours, campus activities like clubs, research,
publications, etc.
5. Diversity sensitivity training and other issues are included into the semester long workshops for new faculty and
the faculty leadership certification.
6. Faculty and staff develop and receive training on working with students that are first generation to go to college
and/or first generation Americans.
7. Career services develop a workshop for graduates to prepare them for working in communities where Hispanics
are not the majority.
8. Scorpionation New Student Orientation include faculty from other cultures to begin students thinking about the
diversity they will encounter at UTB/TSC.
9. The course taught in applied communication interjects diversity in all the modules.
10. The Center for Teaching and Learning in preparing new first year faculty emphasizes the value of diversity in
first year students' education, focused on the prime indicators.
11. The Communication Department, which initiated the Difficult Dialogues for valuing Diversity course and cocurricular activities should continue to offer symposia and town meetings on diversity issues and all faculty should
be invited by the Deans and Chairs to attend.
Recommended Grade: B
Recommended Action Items: