Report on Expanding the Role of the Elon University Multicultural Center

Terminology: “Diverse Populations”
Across higher education many terms are used in the field of multicultural affairs to describe diverse students. Even within diversity categories such as race, religion, or culture, there exist varying degrees of difference. Additionally, the committee recognizes there are numerous types of diversity on campus. These types range from obvious classifications (such as race, religion, disability and ethnicity) to more concealed but no less important forms of diversity (such as sexual orientation, socio-economic status, mixed race backgrounds, geographic origins and more). For this reason, we have intentionally chosen to use the term “students, faculty and staff of diverse populations” to be more inclusive of all forms of diversity on campus throughout this document.

This intentional shift in terminology represents a campus-wide philosophical shift in understanding and appreciating the multiple forms of racial, ethnic, socio-economic, religious, gender, sexual orientation, disability and nationality diversity. The next step in this process involves helping others integrate their diversity into the fabric of the institution. As a result, students, faculty, and staff will understand their inclusion within the term students, faculty and staff of diverse populations.