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.”