ERIC Clearinghouse for Community Colleges
EdInfo No 99-10
October, 1999

Middlesex Community College (Massachusetts) took a series of initiatives to create a campus climate that values cultural diversity. The college developed seven award winning student programs, all of which focuses on the subject of diversity:

1. Orientation Program - A faculty member and a student are invited to give a keynote address about what valuing differences mean to them.
2. ESL Students - A no-credit six-week beginning and intermediate ESL program was developed that is free of charge to anyone in the community. This program allows non-native English speakers to experience college in a safe environment.
3. Student Activities - The college re-portioned some of the activity funds to create a semester course called "The One World Series." The course incorporates music, lectures, and other events that focus on the valuing of differences.
4. International Fellowship Program - The program is a three-credit course involving a series of lectures about the culture, history, and customs of a country that a student wishes to visit. All expenses, including travel, food, and lodging is covered under the program.
5. International Club - Collaboration among various ethnic groups of students is encouraged instead of separate clubs for each ethnic group. The international club highlights cultural celebrations, music, lectures and educational fieldtrips.
6. Freshman Seminar - A mandatory one-credit course for Liberal Arts and Sciences and Liberal Studies students is team taught by faculty and Student Development staff. The curriculum has been revised to stress the importance of valuing differences.
7. Student Improvisational Theater Troupe - Students and faculty perform vignettes on the subject of diversity on campus, public schools, and agencies.

This information was reported in ED 418 750, titled "Creating a Campus Climate that Truly Values Diversity" by Evelyn Clements. A full text-copy of this document may be obtained by contacting ERIC Document Reproduction Services (EDRS), 7420 Fullerton Road, Suite 110, Springfield, VA 22153-2852; or by calling (800) 443-ERIC.

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