Dear Editor-
As a white male, every time I hear the word “diversity” I often have to cringe. I completely understand the arguments that a program will only be stronger as the life experiences, talents, and perspectives of those involved are more diverse. I cringe at the unique double standard by which diversity is often judged and gained.
In your Friday, August 29 editorial, “Legislature Needs to Open its Mind to Divesity,” the following was stated (emphasis added):
While the Legislature is crying reverse racism, the rest of the country is attacking the school for its lack of diversity… The U School of Medicine has a higher percentage of whites and males in its student body than any other medical school in the western United States… the U has fewer female applicants than anywhere else in the country…
However, in the very same editorial, (not to mention n the official publications of the Medical School) “medical school administrators say they have no definite criteria targeting gender and race, but they do look for diverse backgrounds.”
What then represents “diversity?” In official reports of diversity, it appears that only skin color is taken into account in regard to number of “under-represented minorities.” If GPA and MCAT scores are not adequate predictors of success as a physician, how is it that skin color is a better one?
The whole of two decades have been spent fighting to ensure that skin color and stereotypes do not enter into the inclusion or selection processes of universities, corporations, or government. While diversity of background, cultural experience, perspective, thought, and religion fortifies a program; a diversity that places its emphasis on skin color will only continue to divide local and national communities.
After having reviewed the statistical information available for myself, I believe that the University of Utah is fair in its selection process. Enrollments accurately and fairly reflect the body of applicants in regards to “diversity.” However, if the national scene says that we “are behind the times” I believe that the U should make it plain that if “diversity” is only judged by skin color, then that is one national trend that we are more than happy to buck.
Rob OakesJunior, Biomedical Engineering