MUNCIE, Ind. - Faculty and college students agree that understanding diversity is important for success after graduation, according to a recent Ball State University survey.

The survey found that attitudes about diversity by faculty and students are similar, said Michael Stevenson, director of The Diversity Policy Institute that coordinated the study.

"This shows us that both students and faculty recognize the relationship between having diversity-related skills and knowledge, and being successful in the workplace," he said.

The 18-item survey assessed the importance of diversity issues related to gender, disability, sexual orientation and culture. Faculty were asked to rate the importance of each issue for career development of recent college graduates and students rated the importance of each issue for their own success after graduation.

When it comes to career development, the survey found that:

• Respondents rated the majority of diversity issues as moderate to very important with none being listed as unimportant.
• Both groups listed disability issues as the most important, followed by culture, gender and sexual orientation.
• The highest rated statements by both groups were "recognition that people with disabilities are whole persons and should be treated as such" and "understanding verbal and nonverbal communication styles."
• The lowest rated issues in both groups concerned the implications of women's and men's movements.

Stevenson said that in order for Ball State graduates to be diversity competent, educators must infuse the curriculum with the relevant material and skill-development opportunities.

"I would like to see each department or college define more clearly what it means to be diversity competent in their area of expertise as we work toward a curriculum that would ensure that every graduate can claim to be diversity competent," he said.

Teachers College has already named a diversity coordinator and The Diversity Policy Institute is available to assist other departments and colleges that wish to develop initiatives.

The institute was created in 1990 as a think tank on diversity issues. Its primary function is to develop programs and policies to attract, retain, and nurture a more diverse university and foster a campus environment that will enable graduates to excel in a more diverse culture.

By Marc Ransford, Communications Manager

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Stevenson by e-mail at mstevens@bsu.edu or by phone at (765) 285-1695. The organization's Web page is www.bsu.edu/provost/dpi on the Internet.)