With the end of this school year fast approaching, the focus of Ohio University's administration already has shifted to next year and beyond. OU President Roderick McDavis recently praised the university for meeting its two primary goals in regard to the future: increasing enrollment and increasing diversity. Based on submitted housing contracts, freshman enrollment is expected to exceed goals by 400 students, and freshman minority students' enrollment would also, from 214 students in 2004 to 334 students next year -a 56 percent increase. Although OU should take pride in this apparent progress toward a more diverse campus, the administration should not rest on its laurels, and students should remain skeptical -but not cynical -about this continuing trend.
Any steps taken by OU to increase diversity on campus should be regarded as positive initiatives and the success of these should be commended. However, students and the administration cannot be swept up in the hype of this recent upswing in enrollment, both in terms of number and diversity, and need to continue the same course of action that has yielded the positive results. Although the number of minority students -which primarily encompasses individuals with African, Asian, Hispanic or Native American heritage -is expected to rise, the numbers are far from being massive enough to close the extreme diversity gap on the campus, and the administration's language needs to reflect that reality. It is perfectly fine to be happy with the short-run results, but unless this feat can be reproduced from year to year, it is not a stellar victory.
Further, lofty praise and a sense of accomplishment stemming from these first positive steps have the potential to derail progress in the future. Despite the 56 percent increase -which translates into an increase of about 120 students -OU and Athens are still homogenous. It would be improper for the administration to wholeheartedly praise the recent enrollment successes, without acknowledging that there is still a lot of work to be done. The university needs to continue to vigorously pursue diversity, using this success as a benchmark fore future years. Unless this recent upswing in enrollment becomes the trend rather than the exception -which has yet to be proved -then the university should not receive such a glowing review.
Nevertheless, OU has made a significant first step, and as McDavis has said, the university deserves to be praised. Let us hope that this praise becomes a yearly event, not just a one-or two-time experience.
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Diversity gains need to continue
