Center4ME Tackles Campus Diversity in Last D.I.R.T Talk of the Year

The Center for Multicultural Enrichment hosted its last Diversity, Integration, Reconciliation and Transition Talk of the school year by discussing and encouraging “Student’s Responsibility for Positive Climate Change.”

The DIRT Talk was not solely focused on racial and ethnic diversity, but also the diversity of backgrounds, gender roles, denominational preference and political views.

“A place like Liberty is so beautiful because it brings all of us (students from all over the world) together,” Constance Schneider, a co-leader of a discussion group, said. “Even though we are different, that’s what makes us stronger.”

Although Liberty has diversity in the population of students, the leaders of the discussion groups remarked that there is not much diversity within groups of people, because it is easy for someone to surround themselves with other people like them.

“Make an active effort … to reach out,” Robinson said. “It may put us in an uncomfortable situation, but God calls us to be uncomfortable. He doesn’t like it when we sit inside our boat and be complacent where we are.”

Robinson also emphasized the importance of not only being aware of diversity on campus, but to also making ourselves available to it. Engaging with those different from us is one way that Liberty students can create a positive climate on campus.

“Campus climate is a measure — real or perceived — of the campus environment as it relates to the interpersonal, academic and professional interaction,” Jose Hernandez, the director of the Center for Multicultural Enrichment, said as he explained the significance of the event’s title.

“The goal with this DIRT Talk was to create a positive environment at Liberty University where ‘individuals and groups generally feel welcomed, respected and valued …  (and where there is) respect for others, nurtured by dialogue between those of differing perspectives, and is evidenced by a pattern of civil interactions among community,’” Hernandez said.

The leaders of the discussion groups also stressed the importance of creating culture change on this campus — not for students to remain passive and unaware, but to be active and enthusiastic. He said he believes that community on Liberty’s campus will only change if people are working to change it.

Hernandez’s also made a point that one residential student on Liberty’s campus is about 1/15000 of the student body. Hernandez stressed that regardless of the seeming insignificance of that number, one student can make a difference in the world and on this campus.

DIRT Talks are meant to provide an open and safe place for students to come and share their opinions about controversial topics without fear of backlash, arguments or exclusion.

“Without DIRT Talks, much of the student body (as well as the executives) would be unaware of the plethora of perspectives here at the university,” Jeremiah Torres, a Leadership Excellence and Academic Development Fellowship student, said. “Many students are shocked at the presence of individuals who are not Christians. DIRT Talks bring out the differences and expose the campus, student and faculty to a larger sea of opinions.”

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