For stronger turnout, minority recruitment is currently being reworked and developed
By Laura Hutton, News Co-Editor
Over the past three years, the percentages of minorities at McDaniel College have been stable. This stability, however, may not be the primary indicator, as white students continue to outnumber minority students 8 to 1.
To improve the ethnical percentages, McDaniel is trying to appeal to qualified students who, by attending McDaniel, not only broaden their horizons but those of their fellow students.
Percentages of African American students over the years have dropped significantly from the late 1990s and early 2000s to 2007 (8.5% in 1999 and 2000 and 10.9% in 2001).
The incoming class of 2002 consisted of a noticeably higher number of African Americans. The percentage for that year was 14.3% making the total percentage of minorities 21% for that graduation year.
The Washington Metropolitan Scholars (WMS) program may be the reason for 2002’s success.
According to the official WMS website, this scholarship program provides full scholarships to incoming freshman African American students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 who live in the Washington metropolitan area and need financial assistance.
By being a part of the WMS program in 2002, McDaniel showed how they “recognized the value of a diverse campus,” explained Zephia Bryant, Director of Multi-cultural Services.
Along with the University of Virginia, Cornell University, and Syracuse University, McDaniel has once again joined WMS and is now a “formal College Partner.” Other partners, with informal status, include high end well known schools such as: Brown University, Columbia University, Duke University, New York University, Princeton University, Tufts University, Vassar College, and Yale University.
Even other members of our own Centennial Conference are involved, including Bryn Mawr and Haverford.
Joining the WMS again shows how McDaniel College values the type of multi-cultural community that it had with the incoming class of 2002.
“This institution really understands the value of the programs that have to be in place for minority students and others to bring about understanding and appreciation,” added Bryant.
For that reason, the Hill celebrates all national heritage months. Many organizations and departments join together to bring in a diversity of speakers.
The “wonderful student organizations really have a way of reaching the masses,” said Bryant.
The Black Student Union (BSU), for example, hosts an annual “Keeping It Real” forum. “It is an annual event where students and faculty can express their concerns about their academic and safety welfare here on McDaniel’s campus,” said sophomore Rudi Roberson, BSU recording secretary. This year it will be held on December 4 in the Forum.
The BSU is also working to increase minority awareness by branching out. “This year the BSU has been looking to being in a larger and more diverse crowd. We started by not just inviting the minority freshmen on campus but greeting all of the incoming freshmen with goody bags on their doors and an invite to our annual cookout,” added junior Holly Thomas, BSU vice president.
They also want to let the community know about the BSU by “pushing to increase community service and continue to educate the campus as is stated in our constitution,” stated Thomas.
Before arriving on campus and becoming involved in the BSU, prospective students can get a taste of what life would be like on the Hill through multi-cultural weekend.
The weekend is important for McDaniel minority recruitment and is currently being re-worked and developed for this year. The format might change and involve more than one weekend to ensure the greatest turnout possible.
The event “really gives students of color access to those who share the same experiences,” added Bryant. “[They can] ask candid questions and get candid answers.”
Current students are able to acknowledge culture-shock and other transitions faced when coming from an entirely ethnical high school and what makes the adjustment smoother. It is also a chance to educate potential students about where they can find their church and get their hair done.
Another minority group on campus, the Hispano-Latino Alliance (HLA), is also working toward the improvement of minority life on campus.
Fernando Gomes, President of the HLA, considers the current minority population at McDaniel disappointing, but is “happy to see increased efforts in recruiting minority students.”
The HLA plans to boost their presence this year through a number of activities including the upcoming Taste of Latin America dinner, inspired by the popularity of the Taste of Islam dinner. Gomes emphasized that non Hispanic and Latino students are welcome and hopes to focus all the club’s good ideas into “cohesive plans” for the future of minority recruitment.
“We want students to come and learn about the campus, but it is really important for students to feel comfortable,” emphasized Bryant. “We hope to facilitate that and give a cultural view of our campus.”
To fully understand the multicultural aspects of any institution, statistical analysis and comparisons are important. McDaniel’s cultural data and that from three other schools in the Centennial Conference is included in the sidebar.
The student breakdowns from the past three incoming classes of Dickinson, Franklin & Marshall, McDaniel, and Swarthmore are presented.
McDaniel’s minority population was 10.4%, 12.0%, and 11.9% for the incoming classes in 2005, 2006, and 2007 respectively.
The lowest of the schools analyzed. Swarthmore has the highest percentages with the minority population at 37%, 41%, and 37% for the incoming classes in 2005, 2006, and 2007.
Dickinson and Franklin & Marshall fall in the middle. Dickinson’s minority statistics were 21%, 20%, and 19%. Franklin & Marshall’s were 18.9%, 23.0%, and 24.4%. All percentages respectively represent the incoming classes of 2005, 2006, and 2007.
The way that each college organizes its data impacts the percentages yielded. Franklin & Marshall’s minority statistics include the “international of any ethnicity” breakdown. The possibility of non-minorities being in this group exists.
McDaniel College’s minority representation, however, still falls short of the other schools in the conference.
This reality is evident to students and administrators alike. The BSU and HLA fight to involve more students in their organizations while the administration reintroduces the availability of the WMS program.
“We can always do better and we can work, collaborate more, and make sure everyone is invested in increasing numbers,” added Bryant. “We need to make sure that everyone feels valued and appreciated.”