Cal Poly Statement on Diversity*
*The
definition of diversity is specifically inclusive of, but
not limited to, an individual's race/ethnicity, sex/gender,
socioeconomic status, cultural heritage, disability and
sexual orientation.
At
the heart of a university is the responsibility for providing
its students with a well-rounded education, an education that
fosters their intellectual, personal and social growth. For
students preparing to embark upon work and life in the 21st
century, a critical element of a well-rounded education is
the ability to understand and to function effectively in a
diverse and increasingly interdependent global society. As
noted in a recent statement from the American Association
of University Professors (AAUP), "the argument for the
necessity of diversity is perhaps stronger in higher education
than in any other context... The ultimate product of universities
is education in the broadest sense, including preparation
for life in the working world." In this regard, it is
in the compelling interest of Cal Poly, the state, and the
nation to provide our students with an education that is rich
with a diversity of ideas, perspectives, and experiences.
Thus, diversity serves as a fundamental means to enhance both
the quality and value of education. It cannot be a mere adjunct
to such an education but must be an integral element of the
educational experience, infused throughout the community (faculty,
students, and staff), the curriculum, and the cocurricular
programs of the University.
- As
a University whose motto is "to learn by doing,"
Cal Poly explicitly understands the importance that experience
brings to education. When students are exposed personally
and directly to faculty, staff, and other
students from diverse backgrounds, their stereotypes about
"the other" are challenged. As the AAUP statement
notes, such personal interaction gives students an understanding
of the "range of similarities and differences
within and among ... groups" that "no textbook
or computer" can provide. For this reason, both the
formal and informal classroom (i.e., the rich learning experiences
that occur for our students during their cocurricular
activities), must be constituted in a way that reinforces
the value of encountering and considering diversity.
-
Moreover, diversity in the curriculum is a fundamental component
of a well-rounded and beneficial education. The perspectives
provided by the University are contingent upon the content
and purpose of its courses. Since the curriculum is the
principal expression of our educational goals and values,
it must signal the importance of diversity to the Cal Poly
mission, to the institutional culture, and to our teaching
and learning environment in
clear and unambiguous terms.
Thus, the University community (its students, faculty, and
staff), the curriculum, and the co-curricular environment
must be dedicated to the principle of ensuring that all of
our students routinely encounter diverse people, ideas, and
experiences.
Only through intellectual and first-hand personal exposure
to diversity in its myriad forms-racial, ethnic, cultural,
gender, geographic, socioeconomic, etc.-will students gain
the understanding, empathy, and social skills that they will
require to be effective, engaged citizens in an increasingly
crowded and interrelated global community. The benefit of
diversity is universal. Cal Poly's commitment to diversity
signals an affirmation of the highest educational goals of
this University, including mutual respect, civility, and engaged
learning.
Download a printable PDF version of Cal Poly's Statement on Diversity
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