One way I think the university can improve diversity on campus is by having a Cultural Awareness Week. During the day on campus (on the podium or Campus Center), different student groups, Greek Organizations, representatives from the language/culture department or international student office would all participate. 

Each group would table throughout the week and display things at their tables to inform students about different cultures. At night, collaborating groups could have workshops to talk more in-depth about specific topics in their respective cultures. This could also be targeted to the Albany community as well. Also there could be ethnic dinners in the dining halls during this international/multicultural day. 

Seeing how there a wide variety of multicultural student groups on campus, I was thinking of having a competition between the different multicultural organizations (Fuerza Latina, Albany State Indian Alliance, Chinese Student Association,etc). My plan is to get all of the organizations to compete against each other for extra funds for their independent groups, a sort of clash between them.

This would not only allow the organizations to cooperate with each other but also learn about each other. It would allow the students to broaden their knowledge and experience the different cultures each organization has. The students will be able to build a sense of community between the organization and see with their own eyes how diverse the campus really is.

I think one of the best ways to strengthen diversity on campus would be to highlight where it already exists. There’s quite a few cultural groups on campus that celebrate different cultures, so one possible use of this money would be to fund a collective show that all the groups could participate in. 

Asian Occasion (AO) is a show in late fall that is hosted by the Asian American Alliance and includes a number of performances from the Chinese Student Association, Japanese Student Association, Korean Student Association, the Albany State Indian Alliance, and Liga Filipina. AO is always a blast so it’s definitely possible to have a show that would involve multiple cultural groups. To promote diversity and differentiate it from AO, this new show should be open to all groups – religious, special interest, social and business frats/sororities. The more the merrier.

Alternatively, you could offer the $4000 as prize money for a contest open to students and faculty: any department or student organization that showcases diversity on campus and display efforts to improve it would be eligible to win and 200$ prize.  If the guidelines/requirements are minimal, I think this could be a good approach because you could stir up a lot of small efforts on campus – if word spreads and the groups are interested. Competition often spices things up a bit so it could just get interesting….

The University at Albany has done very well in admitting a diverse population of students.  I have had classes, and many other experiences with students from various backgrounds.  The problem, however is that on campus we all separate into our respective social groups.  Since I was a freshman here, student organizations have been advertised as a way to help students become involved on campus, a space that everyone can find a place to enjoy using their talents and gifts.

If awarded $4,000 through the Diversity Transformation Fund, I feel that there are plenty of ways to use the money as a means of enhancing diversity.  One idea that I feel will help promote diversity on campus would be to host a Multi-cultural Conference. 

I use the term culture very loosely as I am not solely referring to ethnicities, as culture is a “cultivated behavior” or shared beliefs amongst a group of people.  The conference would take place on campus, so that cuts the cost of transportation, food and rooms if it were held anywhere else, and would last a weekend (Friday through Sunday).  

Specific workshops would be held throughout the day varying from diversity among race /ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation as well as any other topic that may fall under such a category.  The workshops may include short films leading into highly debatable subjects, specific speakers coming in to address controversial topics, or an interactive, hands on activity.  All in all the workshops would be held to invoke feeling into others as a means of “expressing” other cultures.  The workshops would be held on Friday and Saturday and the conference would close out on Sunday with a big Multi-Cultural Fair either held in the Campus Center Ball Room, or outside depending on the weather.  The Fair would be a fun way to end off an intense weekend, but also shows the collaboration amongst everyone.

This idea may seem simple, but it definitely requires a lot of planning and collaboration.  The different groups on campus would have to work together to come up with the workshop topics without being biased towards their own culture.  I feel that this would definitely promote diversity throughout the University, while staying within the $4,000 budget    

Hello world! The best way to promote diversity is to reduce the negative impact of stereotypes. One way to do this is to experience more of a culture. Thus, my proposal is to have a day where every student eats cuisine from a culture they are unfamiliar with. Essentially, UAlbany will hold a food convention.

I expect people to go. One reason is that most people like to eat. Also, it will be free. Only a select few deny free food. If you're one of those people, you either have a medical condition (such as allergies), or you are a picky eater. To the latter, you are going to miss a lot of great food. Anyway, UAlbany can also close off all the dining halls on campus so that everyone who doesn't have a secret twinkie stash will have to go.

Money will be divided so that every culture club or group who wants to participate will get at least $250 for cooking expenses. Any money left over will be used to purchase tables, chairs, balloons. 

Side note: I hope there will be enough money for an inflatable bouncy balloon gym. Those things are awesome. It will also tire people out and make them eat more food.

There are tons of ways to improve diversity on campus, but if participants are not willing, then it will not happen. In my opinion, I think the best way to improve diversity on campus is to implement a kind of "diversity exchange." Every other week or so, all the cultural groups and departments on campus like ASUBA, Pan Caribbean, Asian groups, Fuerza Latina, Africana Studies department, French department etc. can have members, and anyone else interested, come together in one place. Then split everyone up by interests, hobbies, non-culture related majors, musical tastes, favorite shows etc. making sure that there are a variety of cultures in each group. Then have each group talk about the interest they have in common (like what makes it so appealing to them) and each individual in each group share something about his or her culture with relation to the interest (like is there anything in their culture or upbringing that lead them to have this particular interest). Each week this program takes place, each person can switch to a different group to meet different people or stay in the group that they are in and learn more about the other members of that group. If a program like this is continues every other week or so for at least one semester, then I am hopeful that this will lead to more diversity on campus. 

Many people share the same interest, so once they find another person who also has the same interest, then maybe a friendship can begin. Although there may be many flaws in this idea, if all participants are willing, then a few diverse friendships can form. If those friendships are shared outside of the program (like those people meet up on the podium or are seen hanging out together), then as a result, everyone else will see that it is okay, acceptable and even fun to hang out with someone of a different culture. Maybe then, others will be willing to be friends with someone of a different culture and learn more about them. Basically, this program would reinforce the "lead by example" slogan. 

The University can improve and strengthen diversity on campus by reminding or letting new students know about the vast resources we have on campus that can broaden the horizon for an UAlbany individual. The University could start by advertising the great resource that the Community & Public Service Program has to offer. 

UAlbany is a university I have found is extremely concerned with diversity. Their slogan is “World Within Reach.” There are over 200 different student groups unique within themselves. There are always different events and programs hosted to promote diversity. 

Although UAlbany, out of the four SUNY University Centers is the most diverse in terms of demographics, we can still go along to promoting diversity and being more accepting of it… and not just when it’s Black History Month or National Hispanic Heritage Month.

 We have a growing population here in Albany.  The number of different ethnic groups is staggering. Although we have great numbers, I don’t believe there’s enough school spirit, or enough promotion of our ethnic backgrounds.  We are in black history month currently, and in my opinion I have not seen enough promotion for the month, besides tweets.  There needs to be more awareness and more school wide functions that encompass not only African Americans but reaches out and brings together everyone, no matter gender, hair color, sexual orientation or race. 

If I was granted 4,000 dollars to promote and strengthen diversity on campus I would do several major events, accompanied with various smaller events.  It would not just be a one night, once a year type of thing.  It would be a movement, a celebration.  It wouldn’t just revolve around the school community; it would bring the entire Capital Region community together.  I would reach out to the College of St. Rose and do programs with them.  I would reach out to the public and collaborate with them.  We are in the Capital of New York.  Everything has to happen here.  I would rally senators, assemblymen and women, in order to deliver a well-rounded program, which would depend on what we are celebrating.  It would garner local media attention and we would be the role model for all other SUNY’s.

With working with different schools and departments we will be able to have multiple programs because all the cost wouldn’t lie with us.  Media would provide free media attention, the school website could add us to their calendar, we would establish a relationship with Residential Life, in which they would help us promote and coordinate events.  We would use every available asset in order to cut cost, and have successful programs.

My biggest idea would be a multicultural weekend.  It would involve various local colleges and we would extend the invitation to other SUNY and CUNY schools.  It would not only bring the positive attention to the university but it would also bring revenue to the hotels, motels, restaurants and local business that would sponsor us.  It would involve various events, from Greek Organizations step shows, to food for sale from the local vendors, to performances, music, games, presentations, dancing, and anything else we could incorporate.  Obviously, it would take a lot more planning in order to make it into a success but I believe it’s an opportunity, local businesses would love to jump on and other schools would love to take part in.  It would help our school diversity, bringing people out to the festivals, incorporating the city and celebrating diversity! 

I believe a good way to promote diversity at our campus is to host a Culture Week. This will not be your ordinary week. Culture will be dispersed throughout the whole campus from food to decoration to activities. 

Being that the grant is 'only' for up to $4,000 (funny how such a large amount of money can seem so small when trying to get something done), one key issue is being able to stretch each dollar.  As such, a film series seems like a relatively inexpensive but effective way to raise awareness and get students thinking while also being entertaining enough that a broad spectrum of students would want to attend. 

Some films that could be shown that would highlight struggles of underprivileged peoples.  Examples might be the movie Boys Don't Cry (a movie about the struggles of a transgendered teen), Stand and Deliver (a movie about underprivileged students overcoming adversity and taking the calculus AP exam), or even speeches such as Tim Wise's The Pathology of White Privilege.  

Such videos will help to inform people in the majority groups who often don't even see the oppression faced by minorities.  I purposefully included three drastically different examples to show both the diversity of content that such a program could offer as well as how various different groups/departments on campus could get involved by submitting different video ideas that focus somewhat on their area.  For example, the mathematics department might propose Stand and Deliver, the LGBTQ Alliance might propose Boys Don't Cry, etc.

Individuals have a tendency to fear what they do not know. As a way to increase or strength diversity on campus I think we should introduce an International Week. Each day of that week would be dedicated to explore a culture here on campus.  A portion of the funds would go the promotional aspect of the event. Such as flyers, an article in the UAlbany Newspaper, and website and of course a feature on the STEP blog. 

As an incentive to increase attendance at each program, we could speak to the professors of the Arts and Humanities and ask them to use attendance at the programs as a way to gain extra points on an assignment or exam. Each program will consist of a presentation from a scholar in that relative department. If there is no one to represent that culture from an University department, we can get an outside speaker. However, this will only be done if there is absolutely NO ONE able to represent that culture thoroughly because this will be costly.

 In addition, to a presentation from a scholar each cultural group would also get a performance from a multicultural group on campus. This allows the culture to be explored and shared even more and allows that multicultural group to gain potentially members. Lastly, the program will end with a few distinct dishes of that culture. So attendees while not only receive a piece of the culture but also a taste of the culture. Individuals are naturally afraid of change, but change is not necessarily a bad thing. These programs would allow people who would regularly not interact a chance to get to know one another. These programs will be the epitome of a "Melting Pot". Something that the University should be proud to represent.

What my initial idea for the strengthening diversity on campus was to set up a little grill shop where the Wendy's Lounge is located and build a Hispanic food shop. Don't think this is possible with 4,000 dollars? -Trust me it will fund itself provided that obviously the food is worth the prices. I've been into restaurants 1/4 of the size of the Wendy's area and it has been running for 15 years. Not only would this bring more options to the students when it comes to food but it would diversify foods and bring a more differential feel to the Campus Center's atmosphere. Most of the food in the Campus Center are just sandwiches, soup, pizza and without anything else that isn't generic. Bringing a unique grill shop can bring in more opportunities to try things you'd normally never try. 

Another possibly more realistic idea would be to host an event where people participating would share some facts about their particular culture and bring in a dish of their culture. While people might come to this event and find these facts interesting, I feel as though something else would need to be brought into it so that more people would definitely participate. So while all this is occurring, there would also be a competition where people may come in dressed in a cultural outfit. The three contestants who went the most all out in their cultural outfits would gain $300, $200, $100 respectively. That way, not only does this satisfy all the sharing of other peoples' cultures but it adds a friendly competition to represent your nation in the best way possible. Everybody wins!....except for those that don't but then again you get dishes from each culture that decides to bring one. So yeah, there's that. 

Truthfully, I'd set my eyes on the grill in wendy's just because Albany needs more places that serve Spanish food. Pio Pio is all I got and to have something like that on campus would be PHENOMENAL!

In an attempt to strengthen diversity at the University at Albany, I would host a Diversity Showcase in the Lecture Center. All the conference presenters would be from on-campus recognized organizations, University staff or Professors. I would make it mandatory for at least each on-campus organization to present or volunteer and if they are presenting their presentations must demonstrate an issue of diversity or ways to embrace diversity.