Improving Diversity at Emerson College

Out of the 3,644 undergraduates at Emerson College, 77% are Caucasian, five percent are Asian, seven percent Hispanic, and three percent African American. Why in a city that has become a majority-minority over the past 10 years is there such a lack of student diversity at Emerson?

 

“I noticed right away,” said Drew Venter. “It doesn’t effect me, I know it and I accept it.” Venter, an African American from the suburb of Mansfield, Boston, and freshmen at Emerson, recognized the lack of diversity as soon as he arrived. Although Emerson is located in the heart of the city, the college doesn’t reflect the city’s demographics.

 

Over the past 10 years, the inner city of Boston and its suburbs decreased its Caucasian population by almost 50,000 people, while the number of ethnic/racial groups has increased by almost 150,000 residents. According to U.S. News & World Report, Emerson ranks with a .27 out of 1.0 in the yearly student diversity calculator, having 0.0 out of one as a single population over all ethnic groups.

 

Many students such as freshmen Steven Wachter come to Boston with the fear of going to a college where the stereotype of the city may be known for being less diverse than others such as New York City or Los Angeles, said Wachter, a Marketing major. This fear may be overcome however by taking advantage of what Emerson, and the city itself has to offer.

 

Just up the stairs on the second floor of the Max Mutchnick Campus Center at Emerson, there are wooden drums from Africa rested against the window, the walls are tacked with posters of wide smiled ethnic groups, and the doors are always wide open. This is the welcome room for students of all races, the place that celebrates diversity.

 

“I’m from New York, I was among many different cultures every day,” said Tikesha Morgan, director of Multicultral Student affairs. “I think Boston provides diversity just as much as anywhere else, but students just have to be aware of it and seek it.” She nonchalantly leaned back in her chair and addressed the situation with comfort, but persistence.

 

Constantly working toward an increase in diversity at Emerson, student organizations such as EBONI, and ASIA, are trying to raise awareness to culture and ethnicities. Morgan said members of the group are not only sharing their ethnicities with each other, but they are helping to make each group proud about putting it on display to everyone.

 

Venter, also a member of EBONI has been coming to Boston his entire life, to shop, eat, and hang out. Although many of his friends have been thinking of moving away from the city toward the south, Venter believes it is a place which has become more open and comfortable. He sees Emerson as a school which needs time to adapt to the changes.

 

“The Multicultural organization makes space for everyone, but more people need to join so that all races feel comfortable,” said Venter. Although he has never experienced a difficult situation regarding race, some students might not join the group because of pressure amongst each other.

 

African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians may seem like a minority in the classroom. Inside the student life center however, they are not. Caucasians may feel uncomfortable approaching this situation, Morgan said. Moving from a majority in one place to a minority in another could make many feel awkward, but students deal with this everyday in and out of the classroom, the subway, even in the grocery store. “It is something people have to get used to, America is a melting pot and it is only a matter of time before Emerson becomes one too,” said Morgan. “As long as you come here with an open mind you are welcome.”

Profile; Ben Tan

His cell phone rang.

“Yo, what’s up?”

A muffled voice is heard on the other line.

“Yeah, I can be there right now,” he said, as he headed to his dorm room on the sixth floor of the Little Building at Emerson College. His book bag sat on his back, books protruded from the seams. It looked over 50 pounds. Ben Tan always lugs all his books around.

“If I don’t I’m gonna end up forgetting, I can be really, really forgetful,” he said taking a sip of his coffee. Outside his door, his roommate was waiting. He forgot his key.

“This kid is the best roommate,” said Mike Riv, who lives with Tan, an 18-year old freshman at Emerson College.

It’s a typical college dorm, music and movie posters on the wall, striped towels hung over the bed, dirty clothes overloaded the hamper, and a messy desk in the corner. Underneath this representative look however, was where Ben’s true self appeared.

Tan grew up in a town 10 miles outside Boston called Wakefield. While living there he constantly visited Boston’s North End and Chinatown. He knew this was where he wanted to go to college. Once he visited Emerson, there was no doubt that this would be his ideal school.

While Tan is still considering his choice in career, he currently majors in Broadcast Journalism and eventually would like to be a part of the television and video world.

“I really haven’t planned that far ahead for my career, we have four years to figure that out,” said Ben as he walked over to his desk and took a seat behind his computer near a harmonica.

An array of instruments were scattered around his dorm room. A guitar out of its case sat atop a tall brown cabinet, and a black keyboard sat behind his desk.

Tan has already taken a course on the history of American music, and hopes to minor in Music Appreciation in the years to follow.

“I try not to get too mathematical about music though,” he adds. Besides playing music, Tan continues at WERS Radio Station at Emerson, currently working as a D.J. and a reporter.

“They don’t play nearly enough jazz on the station,” Tan says. As a member of his middle and high school jazz band, Tan grew to appreciate jazz. In high school Tan and his friends began a garage jazz band, playing at their school as well as local gigs. He also writes music for the band and himself.

He turned around toward his keyboard wiped the dust off the keys and began to play, “I wrote this summer of 2007,” his fingers stood stiff over the keys, his back straight and his glasses just falling to the edge of his nose. He started with a few cords.

“It’s a simple melody, that’s kind of my style,” he says. “It’s called ‘Trying not to be in Love.’” His fingers loosened as they moved up and down the keyboard. His white and blue Reebok sneakers tapped below him. At first he seemed a little nervous to play, but he chuckled as he noticed how into the song he gets.

“I want to use his music in my movies,” his roommate interrupted. “He is such a good piano player.”

Tan and Riv have been friends their entire life. After they found out they were both coming to Emerson, they decided to become roommates.

“We will stay close friends for ever,” Riv says.
In the midst of it all, Ben hopes to double major next year in Political Communications. Whether it is playing music, becoming a radio show host, or his dream to be broadcast on television, Tan is constantly motivated by his surroundings and his friendships.