Here’s a recent announcement at Cal State Chico:
Conversations on Diversity — Spring 2012 As you begin preparing your coursework for Spring, please consider incorporating Conversations on Diversity into your syllabus and encouraging your students to attend. The Conversations on Diversity series (COD) focuses on the complexities of group and individual identities and how they influence one another. The gatherings provide a safe space for members of the campus community to consider the often sensitive issues surrounding identity. COD has been the committee’s attempt to expose and treat the various ills we see reflected on our campus and in our community – xenophobia, homophobia, racism, sexism, classism, ignorance, apathy, etc., as well as celebrate our differences. The series will be held from 12:00 — 1:00 pm in BMU 210 on 2/22,3/7,3/28,4/11,4/25 (COD Awards). Themes and topics will be announced soon.
Hmmm. I wonder how safe a space the COD will be for those who question the boundless benefits of "diversity," and regard the vast majority of charges of racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia as trumped up nonsense.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIs the whole thing...or just a "COD-piece"?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAccidentally left out of the above announcement:
"As the opener to this year's COD series, all participants will engage in the traditional 'Two Minutes Hate'".
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHmm. How can "diversity" cure ignorance and apathy when it leads to those very things?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt would be interesting if the first COD conference were to address Muslim intolerance of Homosexuals. How soon do you think they'll be scheduling that?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOr Islamic intolerance of Christians and Jews. Or the fact that blacks are twice as likely to commit "hate crimes" against whites as the reverse.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDear COD: Please be advised that I intend to celebrate my difference by tuning you out. Also, please celebrate your own differences by omitting my name from you mailing list.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'm guessing the "conversation" will seem more like a Maoist Struggle Session.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo the question for the geniuses in the Administration re COD is...What topic would you like me to replace in my Physics II schedule/syllabus?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe problem with Chico State is essentially stupid students: The middle 50% averaged SAT scores of between 450 and 550 for reading and 460 and 570 for math, with an overall graduation rate of 62%. By comparison, at Cal Berkeley, these same numbers are 590-710, 640-750 and 91%.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNot for a second do I doubt the stupidity of Chico State students, but this idiotic diversomania is a plague blighting the entire academic archipelago, and it contaminates the business sector as well.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYou're absolutely right. I should have said A problem of Chico is its students' lack of intelligence. This whole diversity mania is insane. It would be hilarious if it weren't so serious.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseJust applied for a faculty position at a US college. The on-line application system they insist on candidates using doesn't include a question on teaching philosophy, or research focus, but does ask "How would you contribute to diversity?"
I answered "Intellectual Diversity"
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAt least they were honest. A question regarding "teaching philosophy" is room for much mischief.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYou must not have wanted the job very badly.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse