If program’s such as Engaging Diversity have
minimal effect, what can be done to increase diversity and attitudes toward
diversity at Wittenberg? The diversity issue is multi-layered and influenced by
many variables and cannot be solved without time. Wittenberg cannot simply
increase minority student enrollment without the implementation of programs
like Engaging Diversity because merely increasing the size of ethnic groups on
college campuses leads to increasing discrimination of that group and in cases
where this has occurred “students of color reported less overall satisfaction
with their college experience” (Allan et. al. 287) To avoid low turn-outs like
seen with the Engaging Diversity program, faculty cannot leave “cross-racial
interactions among students to chance, educators should make peer groups a
deliberate and positive part of the educational process” (Allan et. al. 292). Faculty
must eliminate fear of conflict regarding diversity issues or risk negatively
influencing the attitudes their students. “Conflict should not be viewed as a
destabilizing force in higher education institutions” and with proper
understanding and resolution of conflict, it can become “a stimulus for creativity
and community-building” (Allan et. al. 295). Institutions like Wittenberg’s
Diversity House and student led organizations like Black Student Union must be
maintained as they “are critical to the educational success of the students
they represent” (Allan et. al. 295). In the end, it is up to the faculty of
Wittenberg to maintain and support programs for diversity and to patiently work
with their students to resolve conflict and educate all students regardless of
race on the cultural diversity at Wittenberg as to increase relation among
students.