THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2006
ON THE HILL
DIVERSITY
9C
Campus organizations welcome students
BY PATRICK ROSS
Diversity is more than just a word at the University of Kansas, it's a way of life. The University has a diverse student population numbering more than 29,000 people from various races, sexual orientations, geographic locations and ideological beliefs — just to name a few.
"We celebrate diversity in many things, including different body able status, different socio-economic status and religion or the lack thereof", said Reuben Perez, director of the Student Involvement and Leadership Center — the hub for student groups on campus.
There are more than 500 registered student groups at the University. Thirty-six of these, according to the University's diversity Web site, are considered cultural or ethnic groups.
of the center earlier this year and the building is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2007.
The University unveiled plans for the new Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center this year. Ground was broken for the construction
The building will adjoin the Kansas Memorial Union and provide students with meeting space,tech-
of Multicultural Affairs' January 2006 newsletter.
The concept of diversity has evolved to encompass more than
"We celebrate diversity in many things, including different body able status, different socio-economic status and religion or lack thereof."
REUBEN PEREZ Director, Student Involvement and Leadership Center
nology and academic resources. The new center will have the resources to continue to add inclusive programming, according to the Office
just skin color and ethnicity, however.
Perez said it was sometimes too convenient to fall back on defining diversity solely as ethnicity or race. Every student is unique and contributes to the diversity present at the University, he said.
AbleHawks is a student group
that seeks to raise awareness of disability issues and how they affect students.
Queers & Allies exists to provide
a social network, outreach services and an activism outlet for LGBT students and those who support them.
The St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, 1631 Crescent road, provides a place of fellowship for the University's Catholic students.
There are so many of these organizations that it would be impossible to list here all of the opportunities to expose oneself to the different ideas and cultures that exist here at the University.
There are many opportunities to expand one's definition of diversity at the University.
Diversity can become more than just a word for every student who keeps an open mind and strives to understand his or her fellow students.
Kansan senior staff member Patrick Ross can be reached at pross@kansan. com
find a place
The groups below provide services and advocate for different groups of students on campus. All student groups are open to all students.
- AbleHawks - www.ku.edu/~ablehawk/cal.shtml.ablehawk@ku.edu
- ** Asian-American Student Union - www.kuwek.u-aasu/aaus@ku.edu**
** Black Student Union - www.oma.u-785-644-8351**
- Asian-American Student Union - www.ku.edu/~asau2 /daau@ku.edu
- Black Student Union - www.oma.uka.edu /785-864-4351
- Emily Taylor-Women's Resource Center - http://www.etwrkku.edu/
  285-864-344
- First Nations.Student Association - www.ku.edu/~inmma/Homepage.html
- Hillel- www.kuhillel.org/ 785-749-5397
- Hispanic-American Leadership Organization - www.ku.edu/~halo/
785-864-HALO
- International Student Association - wwwku.edu/-isa/isa@ku.edu
Oueers & Allies - wwwku.edu/-qanda qanda@ku.edu
- Society of Open-Minded Atheists and Agnostics - http://www.kusoma.org/soma@ku.edu
- St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center - www.st-lawrence.org/indexasox 785-843-0357
- United Methodist Campus Ministry - www.umcmku.org/ 785-841-
7500
CAMPUS
For all other groups: Student Involvement and Leadership Center - www.slic.
ku.edu/785-864-4861
Williams: College experience is what you make of it
BY CARNEZ WILLIAMS
Participating in the 2006 Freshman Summer Institute from June 6 to 30 was a great first experience for me as a freshman coming to the University of Kansas. At first, like most freshmen, I was overwhelmed by uncertainty and fear. Although this is a fairly common feeling, it can still be hard to overcome. That was definitely the case for me.
Aul of my fears became more intense the closer I got to KU and farther away from everything familiar. These fears soon left me, though, as my family and I reached KU to begin orientation. As we entered the
Kansas Union for registration I immediately decided that this would be a great place for me to call home for the next four years. Not only were the staff and administration genuinely caring and helpful, but the students and professors that I met were phenomenal, as well. Everyone that I have met at KU this summer has contributed to my growth and development as a more well-rounded and diverse individual.
One of the first lessons I learned here came from living in a residence hall. I often wondered what residence hall life would be like, but nothing could have prepared me for the experience of this summer.
As I pulled up to Lewis Hall on move-in day, I saw people from all walks of life. Being somewhat close-minded at the beginning, I immediately picked out people I thought I would associate best with based on appearance. My error became evident, though, as those people I had prejudged began to impact me in positive and remarkable ways.
As a result, I did things I never would have done on my own. I attended rock 'n' roll concerts at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St., went rock climbing and sang karaoke in front of a crowded room. Ultimately, residence hall life proved to be a great way to meet a variety of
people while at the same time learning about myself. The more types of people I hung out with the more insight I gained on how to make the most of my college experience.
This experience meant taking advantage of all that KU had to offer, while striving for excellence in my classes.
I learned about wise time-management, leaving time for both work and fun. With some influence from my buddies from the institute, the word fun took on a whole new meaning for me. I began seizing new opportunities, trying new things and taking advantage of what the University had to offer.
My advice to incoming freshmen is to get with a group of people and just get lost. Walk around on Massachusetts Street, explore the museums on campus, sample the restaurants in the Union, go to a sports game, watch a movie on Campanile hill or just take the time to introduce yourself to some new people.
As I discovered, there is so much to do that it might seem overwhelming at first, but just remember that college is about the experience you gain inside of the classroom as well as outside.
So get out there, see some new things and make some memories. This summer, was such a great opportunity for me to do just that, while getting a head start toward achieving my academic goals. Although it was fun, I had to remember that education was my number one priority.
My first experience as a college student at KU was definitely a positive one.
For my fellow freshmen, in order for you to have the same positive experience I advise you to remember this one thing: Your college experience is what you make of it, so make it what you want.
Kansen correspondant Carnez Williams can be reached at cwilliams@ kansan.com
Sing! Be a part of KU tradition!
Join one of our 12 choirs Auditions from Tuesday through Friday 9AM-5:15pm Stop by or sign up for a time outside room 326,Murphy Hall Questions - contact choir@ku.edu