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Campus
offers students a plethora of diverse opportunities
By
Robert Meeks
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer
When
fashion program major Eduardo Torres transferred
to the Cal State Long Beach campus nearly
two years ago he said he believed he would
have no problem fitting in with other students
in such a diverse atmosphere.
It
turns out he was right.
Torres,
now a senior, found like-minded students
of various ethnic, religious and cultural
backgrounds who shared his interest in fashion
and they have become friends. He joined
Students In Fashion (SIF) where many students
work together to put on an annual fashion
show.
"My
situation was a little different from freshmen
because I was a transfer student,"
he said. "The program was not one of
the largest on the campus and maybe that
made it easier for me. Everyone here was
very welcoming."
Perrin
Reid, director of the office of equity and
diversity on campus said, "As in previous
years, the CSULB campus continues to reflect
the cultural and ethnic diversity of Southern
California and the city of Long Beach."
The
United States News and World Reports 2005
college guide echoes Reid's assessment,
ranking CSULB as seventh in western universities
in student body diversity.
Numerous
clubs, organizations and academic support
committees are associated with the campus,
including those that are cultural, religious,
ethnic, gender and interest-based. Many
of them are easily accessible through e-mail
or by phone numbers provided through the
CSULB Web site, www.csulb.edu.
With
so many options, Reid and Torres both suggested
that newer students interested in breaking
the ice join or meet with a campus organization.
"I
would encourage a student to join one or
more of the student groups that reflect
their interests," Reid said. "If
they are a student of color they may join
a group that reflects their ethnic background
as a start."
"It's
best for newer students to take the first
steps to acclimating themselves to campus
life whether by going on line or in person,"
Torres said. "Keep your options open
and don't be afraid to go up to people and
ask questions and introduce yourself. Be
vocal," he said.
Along
with handling community, faculty and student
grievances when it comes to equity and diversity
issues, Reid said she is planning a variety
of outreach programs.
"The
more proactive work we do is diversity training
to try and promote mutual respect and understanding
for cultural differences," she said.
"One of the things I will be doing
is working with students and staff to help
them communicate cross-culturally."
Reid
added that it is important for CSULB students
to broaden their cultural knowledge and
understanding.
"Often
times the students may not be comfortable
in such a large university environment,"
Reid said. "But once they get to know
the university, they can get to know each
other."
For
information on campus organizations, contact
Student Life and Development at (562) 985-4181.
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