2008 Woodie Awards
2005-06 Diversity Report released
Chelsea Eakin
Issue date: 2/9/07 Section: News & Features
Two of the programs that aim to increase ALANA yield are the Discover Colby and Colby Live programs, in the fall and spring respectively. Both programs fly to the campus students of ALANA backgrounds at the College's expense. "The real challenge with ALANA students is getting them here. Once you get students to visit you don't have to convince a whole lot of people that this is the place to come," Walden said.
Three years ago, when Walden began her position in admissions, the Discover Colby and Colby Live programs began offering visiting ALANA students the opportunity for a parent to join them. Walden felt that flying students to campus without a parent was, more often than not, a wasted plane ticket. "A student without a parent has to go home and describe everything to mom and convince them," she said.
The DCG also noted in the Report that with an increasing number of ALANA students on campus, some aspects of campus life may need to be changed - such as increased chem-free and quiet housing, as the percentage of ALANA and international student requesting such housing is greater than that of other students, and expanded COOT offerings.
Looking ahead to 2007, Robinson said one of the main issues being looked at, as suggested by the Presidents' Council, is life on campus of LGBTQ (Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender- Queer-Questioning) students.
"One of the things I hope to do is to establish connections at other colleges to find out what is happening on other campuses," Robinson said. "I'm also hoping to offer a retreat for LGBTQ students from all campuses in Maine in May - an opportunity for students to talk about issues and share stories."
At the same time Robinson hopes to continue programs that were put in place last year, such as Mayflower Monologues - a series of monologues aimed at igniting discussion about diversity on campus. Last year the monologues touched upon issues from being gay or lesbian to being politically conservative on campus.
Three years ago, when Walden began her position in admissions, the Discover Colby and Colby Live programs began offering visiting ALANA students the opportunity for a parent to join them. Walden felt that flying students to campus without a parent was, more often than not, a wasted plane ticket. "A student without a parent has to go home and describe everything to mom and convince them," she said.
The DCG also noted in the Report that with an increasing number of ALANA students on campus, some aspects of campus life may need to be changed - such as increased chem-free and quiet housing, as the percentage of ALANA and international student requesting such housing is greater than that of other students, and expanded COOT offerings.
Looking ahead to 2007, Robinson said one of the main issues being looked at, as suggested by the Presidents' Council, is life on campus of LGBTQ (Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender- Queer-Questioning) students.
"One of the things I hope to do is to establish connections at other colleges to find out what is happening on other campuses," Robinson said. "I'm also hoping to offer a retreat for LGBTQ students from all campuses in Maine in May - an opportunity for students to talk about issues and share stories."
At the same time Robinson hopes to continue programs that were put in place last year, such as Mayflower Monologues - a series of monologues aimed at igniting discussion about diversity on campus. Last year the monologues touched upon issues from being gay or lesbian to being politically conservative on campus.
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