The Movement at Lehigh University

Movement on the Hill Poster

2006-11-16T21:51:00.000-05:00

Open Forum Posters

2006-11-12T13:54:00.000-05:00

2006-04-21T16:15:00.000-04:00

Open Forum Flyers

2006-04-20T21:48:00.000-04:00

Princeton fights diversity problems.

2006-03-30T08:25:00.000-05:00

(Click on the title of this post to see the full article!)

"The Admission Office and Alumni Schools Council have launched a program aimed at increasing the socioeconomic diversity of the University's undergraduate applicant pool through pilot programs involving Boston and Washington, D.C.-area public high schools."

Maybe Princeton and Lehigh can work together and share ideas to solve these common problems sooner.

-W.C.B

More March Pictures

2006-03-28T23:04:00.000-05:00

Some of the March on Lehigh Pictures

2006-03-28T23:00:00.000-05:00

Walk Out Pictures

2006-03-28T16:14:00.000-05:00

The Movement – List of Demands

2006-03-28T08:12:00.000-05:00

We want an environment at Lehigh University that promotes a diverse student body, faculty and staff.
We want to assist Lehigh University in its efforts to create an academic environment that will attract, recruit, retain, and prepare a diverse group of students to assume leadership roles in the world wide community; to assist in developing an environment where the faculty, staff, administration, community and curriculum combine to enrich these students; and to expand the intellectual and social horizons of every individual that attends Lehigh University.
Towards this end, the University must execute the following reforms:

ACADEMIC PROPOSALS
I. Incorporate a required course in the basic curriculum of ALL colleges which would be a weekly, credit-bearing seminar on acceptance, prejudice and other diversity issues
II. Include a greater breadth of courses offered at Lehigh that focus on racial, cultural, gender, ethnic and LGBTQA studies
III. Faculty must include a Diversity Integrity Statement on their syllabi indicating that the faculty will respect the individuality of their students
IV. Integrate a component during the freshman orientation that explores existing power hierarchies and prejudices in society
V. Require freshmen in ALL colleges to take a revised and improved Choices and Decisions Seminar which will educate incoming students about available student resources

SOCIAL PROPOSALS
I. Create an Office of Institutional Diversity as the core of Lehigh University’s diversity initiatives
II. Schedule a monthly open forum between the Lehigh University President and student body
III. Provide common meeting space for student organizations, leading to an effective Student Center
IV. Maintain a fund of money, known as the “Social Environment Improvement Fund,” for the purpose of bringing more diversity-related events to campus. This fund will be placed under the supervision of the Office of Student Activities
V. Expand current structure of Lehigh’s Student Affairs hierarchy
A. Hire an additional staff member to serve as Assistant Director for the Office of Multicultural Affairs
B. Renovate and expand the Multicultural Center
C. Hire a Director of LGBTQA Center, to operate directly under the Vice Provost of Student Affairs
VI. Create a more efficient system for anonymously reporting hate crimes, other forms of discrimination and prejudices committed by students and faculty

FINANCIAL AID AND RECRUITMENT PROPOSALS
I. Target low-income students for Merit, Community Service and Financial need-based aid
II. Increase the Diversity Delegates Ambassador Program budget
III. Include an essay question addressing diversity on the Undergraduate Admissions Application
IV. Provide online resources available in multiple languages, especially those websites pertaining to admissions, financial aid, university news and health services
V. Focus attention on recruiting efforts in the South Side Bethlehem community

2006-03-24T20:43:00.000-05:00

About The Movement

2006-03-15T13:35:00.000-05:00

Today Flyer

2006-03-15T13:29:00.000-05:00

Faculty Poster- resized to 8.5x11

2006-03-13T17:22:00.000-05:00

Faculty Poster - Original size (8.5x14)

2006-03-13T17:07:00.000-05:00

Statement of Concern

2006-03-02T20:45:00.000-05:00

Compiled by “The Movement” a Lehigh University Student-Led Group
To promote diversity, acceptance, and understanding within the Lehigh community

We are writing to you as a student-led group that represents a wide range of interests on Lehigh’s campus, including athletics, Greek life, the Women’s Center, the Brown & White, the Asian Cultural Club, the National Society of Black Engineers, and many others. Our goal is to establish an environment where all students, faculty, and staff can feel welcome to express their individuality in a safe community atmosphere by promoting diversity, acceptance, and understanding within the Lehigh community. A series of hate crime incidents have occurred on Lehigh’s campus which have brought light to the segregation, racism and homophobia that many students experience both subtly and explicitly on a daily basis. Critical action to address and change the crisis plaguing our campus is more than overdue. We feel that it is time that the administration, with support from students, takes a leading role to both increase diversity and to demand respect for the community’s differences.
The following are excerpts of statements that were submitted to us in regards to issues of diversity on Lehigh’s campus. They reflect the feelings, concerns and experiences of many students on Lehigh’s campus. Through quotes and personal testimonies, we hope to leave you with an understanding of the sources of our concern and urgency. We trust that you will read and consider these personal statements, empathize with our concern and work with us to eliminate the present destructive atmosphere on Lehigh’s campus.

“College is a multidimensional experience. However, education only accounts for a fraction of what can be learned during these influential four years. Friendships and relationships with our peers make up the unquantifiable part of our experience. While our education may be rich in sciences, business, and the humanities, our campus lacks the diversity necessary for the less tangible aspects of our college career to be equally as fulfilling… I have spent the past three and a half years surrounded by the same kind of people and ideas that I had at home. If we are truly to make Lehigh University multi-dimensional both academically and socially then it is imperative that the issue of campus diversity be addressed immediately.”

“Discovering that Lehigh University is currently ranked #18 LEAST DIVERSE university by the US News and World Report, though not completely surprising, was deeply saddening for me as a member of the Lehigh community. Furthermore, as a white, Christian female, I continued to realize the prevalence of “white privilege” in American society and most certainly at Lehigh. I feel that Lehigh allows its students to be lazy in terms of reducing prejudice and diminishing hateful discrimination on its campus… It is not simply a nice idea to have an equal and diverse Lehigh society, it is a NECESSITY. Now, I am a realist in the sense that no one thing is going to turn racists around in a day and make them love everyone. BUT, I do believe that these issues need to at least be raised to the community as a whole, because honestly, there may be some people that are truly not aware of the discrimination that permeates our small school.”

“A very pertinent topic of concern is the atmosphere bred by most of the fraternities on our campus. It is depressing enough that the main form of entertainment on this campus is going up on the hill and being witness to the belligerence and outright vulgarity that constitutes its atmosphere every weekend. On the occasion last year that I would go up with a few Caucasian friends, I occasionally witnessed how my friends were let in to a house and I was left out. Additionally, in several instances that I could go in I was confronted with stares and apprehension, as if the people there wanted to say: “Where did he come from?” It is due to these instances, and others, that I have only been on the hill a maximum of one to two times since first semester of my freshman year, and on the occasions that I have returned I have been reminded why I stopped going in the first place.”

“As a senior, I have seen over the past four years that an “ideal” climate does not exist. Instead what we have here at Lehigh is an extremely disparate and segregated campus, predominantly comprised of Greeks and non-Greeks. As a proud, active member of Lehigh’s Greek community, it has been extremely frustrating, upsetting and sickening at times to see how homogenous the fraternities and sororities tend to be, with only a handful of minorities involved in these organizations. Not only are they homogenous in appearance, but these organizations have put up barriers which shut out diverse students from even being remotely interested in joining, through their ignorance, intolerance and biases towards other races, ethnicities, etc. In many conversations with my peers, I have repeatedly heard fraternity and sorority members angrily talking about why the Umoja House was established in such a “prime” location on the Hill and argue that such a space would have better use as a Greek residence. This is only one example of how close-mindedness and prejudice permeate the entire campus, and especially those involved in Greek life.”

“A diverse academic environment is essential to creating better citizens who are better prepared, both professionally and personally, to live in the contemporary globalized world.”

“Unfortunately, I have begun to notice that Lehigh is growing into a campus with a deleterious environment for students, where the interaction between white students and minorities, more specifically black students, is disappearing at a quickening pace. The disintegration has separated the students at Lehigh and more severely, it has created a place where white students, the majority, have begun to feel comfortable (due to numbers) with racial tendencies, varying from verbal or written epithets to physical violence. The problem of racism on campus has moved out from behind the doors of fraternities and dorm rooms. The problem of racism has moved out from the once shy, naïve, confused students who set foot on this campus as freshman and it has shown itself in the actions of the students on this campus. These acts have gone undetected and unmentioned by the administration, by the student body and by the community as a whole and this neglect is creating an ugly, racially charged setting here at Lehigh… If we, as an institution, prepare our students to move out into the real world and place them at prestigious jobs in hopes that they one day become CEO’s or pundits in their areas of expertise then are we, at the same time, willing to assume full responsibility to sending out students who have, for the last four years of their life, felt not only comfortable but justified in their beliefs and actions to be racist at this university? This is a question that must be confronted, discussed and dealt with immediately and I ask, politely, if you are ready because we are.”

The above statements are not isolated experiences. Rather, they reflect the multitude of experiences, views, and opinions students on Lehigh’s campus have shared with The Movement. We are deeply concerned. We are concerned that students are not being held accountable for their destructive actions. We are concerned that students are not being challenged or urged to think critically about the community around them. We are concerned that individuals are not having a fulfilling and positive college experience. We are concerned that we, as an institution, are not providing the educational or social opportunities necessary to prepare students to enter the workforce. This is detrimental to us all as individuals, as well as a community, and an institution in the eyes of our country.
We ask that you acknowledge the hate incidents and harmful atmosphere on Lehigh’s campus. We ask that you recognize our concerns and want an official meeting set up with the administration to discuss these matters in more detail. Thank you in advance for your cooperation, we look forward to hearing from you

For further correspondence, please contact the editors of this statement: Sarah Jefferson (ssj3), Devin Dobson (dtd3), and Nayla Raad (nnr2).

Sincerely,
The Movement at Lehigh

Media Invitation Letter

2006-03-01T19:20:00.000-05:00

To whom it may concern:

A series of hate crime incidents have occurred on Lehigh’s campus which have brought light to the segregation, racism and homophobia that many students experience both subtly and explicitly on a daily basis. Critical action to address and change the crisis plaguing our campus is more than overdue. We feel that it is time that the administration, with support from students, takes a leading role to both increase diversity and to demand respect for the community’s differences.
In response to these incidents, a student led group named The Movement has been created. The purpose of the group is to promote diversity, acceptance, and understanding within the Lehigh community. Our goal is to create an environment where all students, faculty, and staff can feel welcome to express their individuality in a safe community atmosphere.
A series of student led events have been planned to demonstrate and demand change on our campus over our concerns with Lehigh’s historic lack of diversity. The first is a Walk-Out demonstration to raise awareness about the issues. It will be on Thursday March 16th at 11:45 am. The second is the “March on Lehigh” where The Movement will present the Board of Trustees with their proposal complete with demands for change from an academic and social standpoint.
We as a group realize that in order to put pressure on the Administration and to educate people about our plight we need media coverage. We are asking for you to help us publicize in any media outlet within your power. Your interest in our cause will help to ensure that change is met with speed due to media pressure. Thank you very much in advance.

The Movement at Lehigh University

Walk Out Letter

2006-03-01T00:07:00.000-05:00

Dear Faculty and Staff:
We are a diverse group of students who are concerned about the lack of cultural acceptance and the growing presence of racism and homophobia on campus. Both matters are in part the product of the small numbers of students of color and openly gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students at Lehigh. Public hate incidents on campus, as well as a prevailing atmosphere of subtle discrimination and prejudice, have revealed the need for urgent action to address this crisis and to create positive change. A walkout has been planned for Thursday, March 16 at 11:45 AM, where students, faculty and staff will stop their usual activities, leaving their scheduled classes, educational or extracurricular activities, and meetings in order to gather and rally at the UC Front Lawn. Through a Walkout, we hope to promote discussion, both within and beyond the classroom, about the need for respect, accountability, and acceptance on Lehigh’s campus. This Walkout is intended to increase awareness and to affirm our community, as well as to express solidarity and to demonstrate a commitment to productive change. We invite you to participate and we ask you to allow students who wish to participate to do so. We have gone too long being silent. It is time to speak and demand change for OUR community! Please join The Movement in this peaceful protest.
Sincerely,
The members of The Movement at Lehigh University
For questions or concerns please contact lehighsmovement@yahoo.com

2006-02-23T20:58:00.000-05:00

2006-02-23T00:26:00.000-05:00

2006-02-23T00:04:00.000-05:00

General Behavioral Guidelines for All Walk-out Participants

1. When leaving class, the student agrees to act respectfully toward his/her professor and fellow classmates. The student will also be responsible for any work that is missed during the time of the demonstration.

2. The walk-out is a nonviolent and orderly protest. As such, every participant agrees to act in a manner that will not jeopardize the safety of those present or cause any damage to surrounding property, at any point before, during and after the walk-out assembles. Noise will be kept to an acceptable level and there will be free passage through the public space for all those not participating.

3. The participant agrees that his/her involvement in the walk-out is entirely voluntary. Therefore, the participant clearly recognizes that he/she will be held accountable for his/her own actions and will be prepared to face any potential repercussions that might result from his/her involvement in this demonstration.

4. Conduct which exceeds the permissible limits of protest has the potential to be met with university sanctions that range in severity. Those students who feel that they will not be able to abide by the aforementioned guidelines or who might have prior severe disciplinary records with the University, are encouraged NOT to join in the walk-out.

It is the collective hope of The Movement that every participant will follow these guidelines appropriately and conduct themselves in a mature, respectful manner. By doing so, the group will be able to effectively express our shared concern and convincingly raise awareness toward creating a more diverse, inclusive and safe Lehigh community.

Please consult the Official Lehigh University Student Handbook’s (specifically the Policy on Dissent) for more detailed information regarding University guidelines for student behavior. If you have further questions feel free to contact Samara (sra4).

2006-02-22T23:57:00.000-05:00

A Survey of Lehigh University Campus on Diversity and Student Experiences

As part of a set of diversity initiatives, this survey is being conducted by The Movement, an organization of Lehigh students and faculty working to improve diversity on our campus (for more information on this group, please email Nayla - nnr2 or Sarah – ssj3). The survey was designed to determine students’ perceptions and beliefs on the general climate of Lehigh campus and whether and how experiences and attitudes are affected by a student’s classification on diversity-related variables. The information collected will inform The Movement on campus diversity planning. The survey will remain anonymous, so please be as honest as possible – your answers are extremely valuable.

Thank you!

Background:

I am a… I am in the College of… My GPA is…
_ Freshman _ Arts and Sciences _ 3.50 – 4.00
_ Sophomore _ Business and Economics _ 3.00 – 3.49
_ Junior _ Education _ 2.50 – 2.99
_ Senior _ Engineering and Applied Science _ 2.00 – 2.49
_ Graduate _ below 2.00

I live…
_ University residence hall
_ Greek house
_ Off-campus housing
_ Home (local resident, commuter)

My ethnic/racial origin is…(check all that apply): I am a citizen of…(indication
_ Asian American/Pacific Islander of whether you are an
_ African American international student or not):
_ Caucasian/White/Anglo _ United States
_ Hispanic/Latino _ Other:_______________
_ Native American/Alaskan Native
_ Other: ______________________ My gender is…
_ Don’t know _ male
_ Omit _ female

I feel romantic or sexual attraction towards…(optional): I have a…(optional):
_ male _ learning disability
_ female _ psychological disability
_ both _ physical disability
_ questioning/not sure

My religious affiliation is…(optional):
_ Catholic
_ Other Christian denomination:____________________________
_ Jewish
_ Muslim
_ Agnostic
_ Atheist
_ Other:____________________________

I am involved in…(check all that apply):
_ Athletics
_ Greek organization
_ Student club(s)/organization(s) (list in space below):

Perception of Campus Environment:

1. I find Lehigh’s environment to be friendly and socially inviting.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

2. I find Lehigh’s environment to be socially and culturally rich.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

3. In general, I feel physically safe on campus.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

4. I feel that students of different ethnic/racial backgrounds are accepted and respected at Lehigh.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

5. I feel that GLBQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, questioning/unsure) students are accepted and respected at Lehigh.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

6. I feel that students with disabilities (physical and cognitive) are accepted and respected at Lehigh.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

7. I feel that the administration is committed to making Lehigh a student-centered university and considers students’ opinions and concerns with genuine interest.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

Experiences at Lehigh University with other students:

1. I feel I need to minimize various characteristics of myself (e.g. language, dress, personality) to be able to fit in at Lehigh.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A
2. I feel comfortable getting involved or participating in extracurricular activities at Lehigh.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

3. I feel comfortable speaking with others at Lehigh about my background.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

4. Most of the time, I have positive experiences with others at Lehigh.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

5. Please indicate the frequency of interactions with people of diverse backgrounds (namely ethnic/racial backgrounds) at Lehigh:
Never Rarely Sometimes Frequently
Classrooms
Study groups
Private social gatherings
Residence halls
Athletic teams, intramurals
Student organizations/clubs
Greek houses

6. Please indicate the frequency of negative remarks you hear about the following diversity-related characteristics from others at Lehigh:
Never Rarely Sometimes Frequently
Point of view (i.e. differences in opinion)
Gender
Age
Religion
Ethnicity/Race
Physical ability/disability
Cognitive ability/disability
Sexual Orientation

7. My friends at Lehigh are composed of people who are different from myself in regards to (check all that apply):
_ religion
_ ethnicity/race
_ culture/heritage
_ sexual orientation
_ physical disabilities

8. I am aware of diversity related activities at Lehigh.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

9. I have attended diversity related activities at Lehigh
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

10. My social interactions at Lehigh are largely confined to students of similar backgrounds.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

11. Getting to know people at Lehigh with diverse backgrounds different from my own has been easy.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

12. My experiences since coming to Lehigh have led me to become more understanding of diversity.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

13. My experiences since coming to Lehigh have strengthened my own sense of identity as an individual with differing backgrounds and interests from my peers.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

14. Overall, my experience at Lehigh to date is satisfying.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

Experiences at Lehigh University with faculty and/or staff:

1. I feel that Lehigh faculty and staff care about me as a person.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

2. I feel that Lehigh faculty and staff are helpful.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

3. I feel that Lehigh faculty and staff are approachable outside of the classroom.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neural
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

4. I feel that Lehigh faculty and staff are fair to all students regardless of their backgrounds.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

5. I feel that Lehigh faculty and staff represent a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

6. Please indicate the frequency of negative remarks you hear about the following diversity-related characteristics from faculty at Lehigh:
Never Rarely Sometimes Frequently
Point of view (i.e. differences in opinion)
Gender
Age
Religion
Ethnicity/Race
Physical ability/disability
Cognitive ability/disability
Sexual Orientation

Attachment to the University:

1. I came to Lehigh for the following reasons (check all that apply):
_ Financial aid
_ Academic reputation
_ Athletic involvement
_ Diverse student body
_ Diverse extracurricular opportunities
_ Other:________________________________

2. Since coming to Lehigh, the expectations indicated previously were met:
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

3. I feel closely connected to Lehigh University.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

4. I intend to stay at Lehigh and complete my degree.
a. Strongly agree
b. Somewhat agree
c. Neutral
d. Somewhat disagree
e. Strongly disagree
f. N/A

5. I would leave Lehigh for the following reasons (check all that apply):
_ Financial problems
_ Academic problems
_ Not fitting in
_ Better opportunity elsewhere
_ Other:___________________________________

Your thoughts:
1. What is your personal definition of diversity?

2. In general, do you feel diversity is necessary? Why or why not?

3. Please tell us what you think Lehigh could do differently to improve campus climate with regard to diversity.

Thank you for completing this survey – it cannot be stressed how valuable your answers are! If you have any comments or questions about the survey, please feel free to send them to hyk8@lehigh.edu or jot them down in the space below.

2006-02-22T21:37:00.000-05:00