2008 Woodie Awards
Campus Diversity is no Problem
Juliana Balise
Issue date: 11/15/06 Section: Campus Briefs
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The students of William Paterson University come from many different racial and ethnic backgrounds, forming a campus that is more diverse than most. Many students are very aware of this diversity.
According to the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, WPU enrolled a total of 10,121 undergraduate and graduate students as of 2006. Of these, 32 percent were black, Asian, Hispanic or Native American. The percentage of minorities among undergraduates is even higher: about 36 percent. This means that close to one-third of the students on campus are minorities.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, on average about 30 percent of students in college campuses across the country are minorities, which puts WPU above the national average.
Students on campus have noticed the difference. When asked to rate student diversity on a one-to-ten scale, most ranked the university from seven to nine.
"I think it's a little more diverse," said Mayra Gastell, a junior. "Only because we're right near Paterson; we're right in Passaic. We're right near a lot of places that have a lot of diversity."
It seems that students may overestimate that diversity; when asked to estimate the percentage of minority students on campus, most guessed it to be 70 percent or higher, although there were a few exceptions.
"I think it's about average," said Vanessa Costos, sophomore, who estimated the minority student population to be about 40 percent, close to the actual 32 percent.
Students rated faculty diversity highly as well, with most agreeing the staff was very diverse. A few students, however, added that while they considered student diversity to be above average, diversity among the faculty and staff varied by department.
"I guess it all depends on majors," said senior Chris Blackburn, a physical education major. "Because most PE (teachers)… they're all mostly white. I would give the school a five as far as faculty."
In fact, according to the Institutional Research and Assessment, about 37 percent of WPU faculty and staff are minorities, which is well above the national average of 20.5 percent.
In recent years, the percentage of minorities on campus has steadily increased, growing by almost four percent from fall 2000 to fall 2005. The majority of students interviewed were very satisfied with the amount of diversity on campus.
"There are a lot of different people here," said Joe Ritacco, a sophomore. "Everybody's got their own backgrounds."
According to the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, WPU enrolled a total of 10,121 undergraduate and graduate students as of 2006. Of these, 32 percent were black, Asian, Hispanic or Native American. The percentage of minorities among undergraduates is even higher: about 36 percent. This means that close to one-third of the students on campus are minorities.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, on average about 30 percent of students in college campuses across the country are minorities, which puts WPU above the national average.
Students on campus have noticed the difference. When asked to rate student diversity on a one-to-ten scale, most ranked the university from seven to nine.
"I think it's a little more diverse," said Mayra Gastell, a junior. "Only because we're right near Paterson; we're right in Passaic. We're right near a lot of places that have a lot of diversity."
It seems that students may overestimate that diversity; when asked to estimate the percentage of minority students on campus, most guessed it to be 70 percent or higher, although there were a few exceptions.
"I think it's about average," said Vanessa Costos, sophomore, who estimated the minority student population to be about 40 percent, close to the actual 32 percent.
Students rated faculty diversity highly as well, with most agreeing the staff was very diverse. A few students, however, added that while they considered student diversity to be above average, diversity among the faculty and staff varied by department.
"I guess it all depends on majors," said senior Chris Blackburn, a physical education major. "Because most PE (teachers)… they're all mostly white. I would give the school a five as far as faculty."
In fact, according to the Institutional Research and Assessment, about 37 percent of WPU faculty and staff are minorities, which is well above the national average of 20.5 percent.
In recent years, the percentage of minorities on campus has steadily increased, growing by almost four percent from fall 2000 to fall 2005. The majority of students interviewed were very satisfied with the amount of diversity on campus.
"There are a lot of different people here," said Joe Ritacco, a sophomore. "Everybody's got their own backgrounds."
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