Diversity valued at Furman, survey says
Most Furman faculty, staff and students generally agree that there is racial harmony on campus. But on matters of religion there is some tension, according to a diversity survey published recently by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Eight hundred and fifty-two students, faculty and staff completed the survey. Seventy percent of those who completed the survey were students, 19 percent were staff and 11 percent were faculty.
While most of those responding said that Furman does a good job of providing programs that promote multicultural understanding, most disagreed that the university should require students to take a course on the role of diversity in society.
The questionnaire, distributed last April, surveyed the university community on issues related to ethnic diversity, religious tolerance and sexual orientation. The study was developed by Furman's Community Relations Committee.
Idella Glenn, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, says two different surveys were distributed to employees and students. The last campus survey on diversity was completed in 1998.
Results of the survey indicated that “many people feel we are doing a good job in regard to diversity,” says Glenn. “Overall there is a positive feeling. But I think that our expectations should be higher.”
A snapshot of the survey reveals:
• Eighty-nine percent of the faculty and staff who responded said that they were very comfortable or comfortable working with people of different religious faiths.
• Respondents were split on the issue of whether Furman should actively recruit faculty members of different religions. But more than 67 percent of employees who completed the survey felt that Furman should recruit faculty of different ethnic backgrounds.
• Fifty-six percent of students and 63 percent of faculty and staff who responded agreed that there is religious tension on campus.
• Thirty-seven percent of students agreed that the university should “actively recruit” students of different religions, while 35 percent disagreed.
• Thirty-five percent of students disagreed that Furman should actively recruit students from different ethnic backgrounds, while 24 percent agreed.
As a result of the survey, Glenn says that the Community Relations Committee has developed a list of recommendations that is being considered during the current strategic planning process.
The recommendations, she says, include redoubling the university's efforts to recruit minority faculty, sponsoring a freshman forum to address cultural diversity, and developing lectures and discussion sessions to address religious tension on campus.
To obtain a copy of the survey and a list of recommendations, call the Office of Multicultural Affairs at extension 3104.
Inside Furman is published monthly during the school year by the Furman University Department of Marketing and Public Relations. For story ideas, e-mail John Roberts, editor.
