Mission Statement
The mission of the Office of Multicultural Student Services is to enhance ethnic
minority student retention and matriculation. This desired outcome is achieved
through personal and academic support programs and activities which are offered
to assist students with their adjustment to campus. In addition, this office
works closely with other campus departments, faculty, and staff to develop a
climate in which racial harmony and cultural diversity is valued, appreciated
and accepted.
Philosophical Foundation:
The minority student program is built on the philosophy that all students
need support in one way or another, be it social, financial or psychological,
and that any institution which is associated with student life has to prepare
itself to meet these needs as shown by faculty, staff and students.
This program also engenders the belief that the educational institution that
fails to prepare itself to meet these needs cannot term the students as "high
risk," but must in actuality look at itself as a high risk institution.
A philosophical goal for the program will be to help minority students and
the University become more aware of the differences in people so as to foster
understanding between the students, faculty and staff. Another philosophical
goal is that students will be able to develop the ability to be independent and
be able to assess their needs as they pursue their academic goals. This would be
in keeping with a basic student personnel assumption that students will become
better citizens as a result of their growth during their college career and that
they will have matured to some extent while a student at the University.
Operating Assumptions:
Several operating assumptions have been identified which serve as a basis for
short and long-term strategic planning including, but not limited to, an
emphasis, which is programmatic and fiscal in scope. Examples of these operating
assumptions include:
- Continued growth in minority student enrollment levels and a stabilization
if not decrease in majority student enrollment levels. This will result in
minority students comprising a greater proportion of Ferris’ overall
enrollment.
- Continued and enhanced support of minority student needs relative to
retention and recruitment.
- Enhanced need for cultural sensitivity training of faculty, staff and
students on the importance of embracing diversity.
- Increased recognition campus-wide to share in the responsibility of
meeting the needs of a diverse student population. This recognition must be
jointly communicated from the Board of Control and the President of the
University.
- A recessionary economic scenario both on the state and national level will
result in restricted or reduced financial support of the University. These
fiscal constraints will place an increasing responsibility for the Office of Multicultural Student Services
to more prudently administer resources.
- Increase cooperation and support from other departments within the
Division of Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Business Affairs and University
Advancement, which provide assistance, support or other services to
students.
Clients Served:
The primary clients served by the resources and services offered through the
Office of Multicultural Student Services include African American, Asian American,
Hispanic American, and Native American students. In addition, alumni, faculty,
and staff are served through the programmatic efforts of this department.
Goals:
- To assist minority students in making adaptation to the campus environment
by advocating for them on issues involving racial prejudice or awareness.
- To develop a support system that enhances the retention of racial minority
students.
- To promote a racially pluralistic and diverse campus that emphasizes
racial and cultural understanding and respect.
- To serve as a resource to faculty, staff and students with regard to
issues involving students of color.
Objectives:
- To combat existing racial stereotypes and prejudices that serve to
negatively impact minority and majority student experiences by organizing
educational events which expose the negatives associated with racial
stereotyping.
- To promote educational programming opportunities which help retain
minority enrollment levels that are at least equal to the population of
minorities in the State of Michigan.
- To develop programs and activities that engage students to challenge their
individual values and attitudes and serve to promote the value of racial,
cultural and ethnic differences as well as encourage interracial and
intercultural understanding and respect.
- To enhance the level of cooperation, trust and understanding between
non-minority faulty, staff and students of color by creating opportunities for
university employees and minority students to dialogue and jointly participate
in activities.
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