Incoming students may soon confront diversity issues in a way no current student has if Associated Students of Madison continues its work toward implementing Plan 2008.
ASM's Plan 2008 committee, which just last semester consisted of only one ambitious intern, presented a proposal to the SOAR board April 5. The proposal included student-diversity training for the summer sessions of SOAR for 2006 and beyond. Currently the board is considering the proposal and will decide on April 19 whether or not to make diversity training a part of every UW-Madison student's SOAR experience.
If employed, the training will consist of an introductory video and a workshop designed to help students find out where they stand on issues, followed by small group discussion about campus issues. The program will take about an hour and a half total, said Ryan Sarafolean, UW-Madison sophomore and intern for Plan 2008.
\This is only going to bring the student body closer as it creates a sense of awareness and understanding,"" Sarafolean said.
The committee is currently working on getting support from administration and faculty such as Dean of Students Luoluo Hong and Associate Vice Chancellor Bernice Durand.
According to Jeffrey Wright, UW-Madison sophomore and Plan 2008 committee chair, the proposal to the SOAR board went better than expected but the idea itself faces challenges within the Executive Board.
""SOAR is very well planned-out, every minute is accounted for,"" said Elaine Prevenas, UW-Madison senior, Plan 2008 committee member and SOAR guide.
For new students going through SOAR during the summer, the goal is to get students thinking about diversity-related issues before they come to school in the fall, Wright said. He added students will be more apt to know about, and use, the resources available on campus.
In addition, when diversity issues come up in a class situation. For example, students will be more capable to handle them and help the professor.
Sarafolean said he hopes to be able to say by 2010 that the majority of the student body has been confronted about diversity issues.
""This is a very important part of a liberal arts education, its going to make the atmosphere here all that much better,"" Wright said. ""It will solidify the university's commitment to diversity and in the long run we hope this will set the precedent for ways to change the campus climate.\
