SMAC'D seeks more diversity
New group looks to change policy and campus life
Thuy-Dzuong Nguyen
Issue date: 11/10/06 Section: News
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Students Making Active Change for Diversity (SMAC'D), which the students pronounce "Smacked," advocates changes in administrative policy and campus life. The group has held four meetings since Oct. 18. Between 150 and 160 students are members of the group, and about 30 to 40 students show up at each meeting. Currently, they have a rough sketch of long-term goals for changes in campus diversity. They plan to refine their goals and work with administrative staff on proposed changes when ready.
Many members of SMAC'D joined because they were not happy with their Gonzaga experience. While SMAC'D comprises members of many ethnic backgrounds, their main issue of concern involves diversity.
Some of SMAC'D's hopes are to increase the number of Gonzaga students of color, increase retention rates of students of color, increase minority representation and influence, change campus climate and give more to resources such as Unity House and the GLBT Resource Center (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) for students of color or those who identify as sexual minorities.
Past attempts to address large-scale concerns and to make a lasting and consistent student advocacy group, have not been successful. However, students are hopeful about this one.
"They know what they want and they know what they need," said graduate student Kristine Reeves, who facilitates discussions with the students of SMAC'D.
Reeves is also a former member of the administrative staff for Intercultural Relations, formerly known as the Diversity Office. She has been acting as a liaison and a facilitator for the group meetings, but the members make decisions as a group.
Members have been choosing the meeting times, inviting more student members and coming up with original ideas for minority involvement in leadership and student life.
One of SMAC'D members' biggest concerns is the amount of minority representation in student body.