Why having a diversity requirement at UCLA is not enough

Not even close

Last year marked an arguably progressive milestone for UCLA: it was the first year that the diversity requirement went into effect. Passed in spring of 2015, the diversity requirement mandates that most students take a “diversity course” to prepare themselves for, “an increasingly diverse and interdependent campus and the world that they live in and will lead.”

When the requirement was passed, albeit after years of debate, it seemed as if UCLA finally decided to commit to diversity and welcoming marginalized students. However, the events of this past year painted a slightly different picture. The year began with the now-infamous “Kanye Western,” which seemed to set the tone for the rest of the school year. This event was later followed by a controversy over transphobic posters, Milo Yiannopoulos’ visit to campus, and then racist posters just a few weeks ago.

The implementation of the diversity requirement might suggest that UCLA has taken a stance on racism (and other forms of oppression)’s place on campus, but the events of this past year show otherwise. If UCLA is honestly committed to diversity and inclusion, the administration needs to do more to prevent discrimination so that students will feel included on campus, rather than simply addressing it when (or mostly like, if) reported.

While having a diversity requirement is an accomplishment, one that took years of work from student and faculty activists, it is not enough.

If UCLA does not try to prevent racism on campus, then having a diversity requirement means little beyond the fact that it exists. The diversity requirement becomes a token of progressive action, but without the required action.

Some students are now skeptical of UCLA’s commitment to diversity. Sanjana Nidugondi, a third-year Neuroscience major, said the events of the past year, “clearly indicate that campus climate has not changed, let alone improved.”

Photo courtesy of Sanjana Nidugondi.

I think [the diversity requirement] could be a great opportunity for these students to learn more about other groups and themselves,” she continues.

“We need much more than classes, however, for students with privilege to think critically.”

This isn’t to say that UCLA has been entirely inactive when it comes to diversity. Brian Kohaya, a third-year Psychology major, believes that while UCLA could do more about diversity: “I’ve definitely seen an improvement on the campus climate.”

Photo courtesy of Brian Kohaya.

He added: “I believe especially with the hiring of Vice Chancellor of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Jerry Kang that UCLA has a commitment to trying to promote diversity in all aspects of its campus and to make sure no community feel unsafe.”

However, UCLA administration should strengthen their commitment to preventing discrimination. While Kang’s office allows students to report incidents of discrimination, the office’s website doesn’t offer as much information on what is being done to protect marginalized groups who feel unsafe on campus.

When racist events have been a staple of campus life for several years, the diversity requirement is really just a small step in the right direction. Students and administration should not become complacent, or believe that UCLA has reached the pinnacle of progressivism simply because diversity has become a required class for most students. Instead, diversity-minded members of the campus community should work to welcome marginalized students, along with pressure the administration to do more.

There is a lot for UCLA to do strengthen their commitment to diversity. One simple action, Kohaya suggested, was for administration to, “release the disaggregated data on enrollment, retention, and graduation rates.”

Releasing this information, he explained, would help student leaders understand and address the significant differences in rates between different Asian groups.

Nidugondi believes that the recently announced Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Student Advisory Board is a sign of UCLA’s commitment to changing the campus climate, as long as it “isn’t a ceremonial position.”

“I also hope,” she says, “the administration make themselves and their resources more accessible to student leaders on campus.”

UCLA’s administration should listen to their students’ concerns — that is, if they are genuinely interested in promoting a welcoming campus environment. Whether it’s releasing more data, creating more available resources, or something else, there’s an obvious need for more decisive action from the campus administration. Hopefully this academic year will see more positive change — and actual inclusion — for marginalized students on campus.

More
UCLA