While about 100 Latino students are on campus for Project Stepping Stones, Ball State University should listen to the advice of Chin-Sook Pak's students.
Those students worked with local high school Latino students during the school year to help them prepare and transition toward college life.
Pak's students also suggested ways to increase the Latino population and diversity on campus.
The university's Latino population increased by 0.6 percent in five years while the Latino population in this country is growing rapidly. We can't ignore the needs of this population to transition into the United States lifestyle.
It seems the university isn't whole heartedly addressing the issue. Goal 1 of the university's strategic plan says by 2012, Ball State should achieve 15 percent of total enrollment from underrepresented minority populations. It also says by 2012, the university should achieve 15 percent of total enrollment from outside Indiana, plus five percent from international origins.
By 2012, there should be an increase to 15 percent the number of degree-seeking graduate student applicants from underrepresented minority populations, according to the strategic plan.
Goal 4 of the university's strategic plan says by 2012, faculty diversity should increased to 15 percent and staff diversity to seven percent.
This is a good first start, but more should be done. Goals to increase enrollment are nice, but it is trying to get Latinos to campus and then help them once they get here that needs more consideration.
When Daily News staff members tried to find a Spanish application online, none could be found. If there is one, it should be more visible on the Web site.
The university could simply provide a link to students and that could, potentially, increase diversity. But, the university has to work with Latino students once more come to campus.
That's why accommodations for Latino students would be wise. The university should think through some of the problems a more diverse student body can cause.
If the university doesn't think ahead, the new students won't be set up for success.
The university should have a Cardinal Preview Day, such as Pak's students suggested. Once the students apply and get accepted, the university should show them around to the dormitorios y clases (dorms and classes).
Also once these students come here, let them have an adviser who can speak with them and, hopefully, let them feel at ease. More minority scholarships could make it easier for a first generation student.
Some might think that making these changes would be concessions to the Latino population and would be overkill. Well, the Latino population is the largest minority in the United States. The country can't think with a Manifest Destiny mind set anymore. We need to embrace our diversity.
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