Ball State University prides itself as a diverse campus. On its Web site's home page, half the photos include students or faculty members from an ethnic minority.
Now Ball State is trying to support that claim. According to "Education Redefined: Strategic Plan 2007-2012," 9.4 percent of Ball State students are from "underrepresented minority populations." By 2012, the goal is 15 percent.
The university recently has moved closer to that goal. Minority representation on campus has increased from a recent low of 8.4 percent in 2003-2004.
"I'm definitely happy with where we're going," Chris Munchel, director of admissions, said, "but we have a lot of work ahead of us, absolutely."
Ball State lags behind both the state population as well as other state universities. Indiana and Purdue universities have larger Asian and Hispanic populations, and Indiana State University has a larger black population.
"Unfortunately there's not, especially in Indiana, a huge amount [of minority students]," Munchel said. "You're competing for the same students."
Charles Payne, assistant provost for diversity and director in the Office of Institutional Diversity, said one reason other universities have stronger minority representation is because they offer better scholarship opportunities to minority students than Ball State. He said he has seen specific examples where a minority student is offered a better financial package from IU than Ball State.
Kyle Hovanec, president of the Asian American Student Association, said Ball State lacks a commitment to diversity recruiting, especially towards international students.
Another issue is that the Office of Admissions does not regularly work with campus groups for recruiting, Mike Rivera, president of the Latino Student Union, said. Hovanec echoed that sentiment.
"I can't remember the last time we've done anything with [the Office of Admissions], ever," Hovanec said. "[The AASA] would be willing to work with anybody who would be willing to help bring in a more diversified set of students."
CASTING THE NET
Keith Woods, vice president of diversity in news and operations at National Public Radio and noted consultant on diversity issues, said it is important for universities to include people who would otherwise be excluded and make them feel welcome.
Woods conducted a diversity seminar at Ball State in Fall 2009. He said Ball State should be conducting research to find out where potential minority students are. This allows the school to maximize resources by knowing which students are more likely to be inclined to go to Ball State. This is particularly helpful at a time when the school is making cuts to its budget.
Payne said one problem with Ball State's recruiting efforts is that the university does not recruit to specific minorities. He said the school uses a catch-all method. The university chooses to appeal to a generic minority rather than focusing advertising that would attract specific groups.
Since Ball State's strategic plan does not specify what minorities it wants to bring to campus, this method may be more effective as any minority student counts toward the goal.
Woods said schools should be focused on learning what students are looking for.
"They should recruit knowing what students want and what students fear," he said.
Many students look for the presence of multicultural programs and groups, even if they do not participate in them, Woods said.
Participation in groups such as AASA or LSU is about 10 percent of that ethnic group's on-campus population. Even so, the existence of those groups makes potential students more comfortable, Woods said.
"The fact that it exists makes it a safer place to be than a school where it doesn't exist," he said.
IDEAS AND PROGRAMS
Ball State uses different recruiting methods to attract students. Both Payne and Munchel said Ball State identifies high schools with large minority populations to focus their efforts.
The admissions office prints materials about Ball State and admission forms in foreign languages, Payne said, making them available to potential students who may not speak English at home.
Ball State uses several programs to raise awareness of the school. One such program is Explore Ball State — formerly known as College Awareness Day — on April 6. The program brings in 300 to 500 minority high school students to teach them about their college opportunities.
At Explore Ball State, the AASA, Black Student Association and LSU meet students and share their college experiences.
For BSA president Deontae Vaughn, the program was his first interaction with Ball State and he commended the program's success.
He cited the diversity of majors at Ball State as one aspect that he said drives students to choose the university once they learn about the school.
Some programs, such as the Night of America's Dinner, send recruiters to the students. Others, including the Summer Scholars program, bring students to the university.
Munchel said bringing students to campus is important.
"Any time you can get a student to campus when looking to recruit them and enroll them, there's definitely a benefit in helping seal the deal," he said.
Many of these programs are closed to the public. Invitations or recommendations are required to participate, Munchel said.
This is controversial because an unobservant guidance counselor or untapped school district may miss students.
Woods said invitations will not catch all students, but it is most likely to find those with the best chance of succeeding.
Diversity on campus benefits the education of every student, he said. A diverse population gives students' opportunities and perspectives they would not have otherwise.
Woods said the most important aspects of diversity recruiting are to have a top-notch university and treat potential students like people, not racial statistics.
"When recruiters understand [students] as a whole person, you are much more likely to recruit that person," he said. "A campus that looks like the world is a much better place to learn, ultimately."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
