Diversity. This nine-letter word has recently had a huge presence on campus.

In light of reported bias incidents, the Saint Louis University community is seeing an increase in discussion-based series, special presentations by various student organizations and diversity-focused committees.

Apart from all sponsored events, some students took action into their own hands on Feb. 28 and held a march against hate, which started in front of St. Francis Xavier College Church. The students gathered on the corner of Lindell and Grand Avenue in order to illustrate that they were there together, as a cohesive group, and would, from that point forward, say “No More” to hate.

Those who marched signed their names on Post-It notes, and by doing so, signed a pledge to actively attempt to prevent the spreading of hate. The notes can now be seen hanging in the windows of the Cross Cultural Center.

In response to the overwhelming student participation in the march, a Facebook group entitled “SLU Students for Social Justice” has been created, and will serve as a place of information for all those interested in the advocating of social justice.

The collection of various events, dialogues and activities based around the issue of diversity are all a part of SLU’s “Community Dialogue and Diversity Education Series,” and are all sponsored by those officially affiliated with SLU—unlike the grassroots-like march mentioned above.

One event in the series that will be concluding today, March 18, is the “Race Matters” collection of open forum style presentations. “Why Does Race Matter at SLU?” is the final part of the three section series, and will take place today, March 18, in DuBourg Hall Room 157, from 4-6 p.m.

When asked why this dialogue series is important for SLU’s community, Dean of Students Scott Smith expressed that the collection was an essential aspect of initiating important conversations with the goal to reach an action.

“You needed to focus on issues in order to get a call to action,” Smith said.

Another event that will revolve around open dialogue and communication between students and administrators will be the Student Government Association’s Town Hall on social justice and diversity.
The Town Hall will take place Thursday, March 25, from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Busch Student Center’s Saint Louis Room; there, students can speak with administrators in a round-table format.

“The main thing we want to get out of this is to open up communication between students and administrators,” SGA Vice President for Diversity and Social Justice Jamie James said.

James expressed that she anticipates the one-on-one setting will allow for beneficial dialogue between students and the present administrators.

Though there have been many efforts to increase dialogue about diversity issues on campus, the events are just that: dialogue.

Until recent initiatives, the only truly visual campaign for an increase in diversity awareness was the march against hate.

However, the Great Issues Committee is sponsoring the “We are ALL Billikens” wristband campaign and the Diversity Leadership Cabinet is commencing the Social Justice ribbon campaign.

Originating from an idea posed at a Reinert staff meeting, according to GIC Secretary Alyssa Kernen, the wristband campaign is intended to unify all those interested in fighting for diversity.

GIC Chair Steve Della Camera expressed that the campaign is not only designed to continue the message of diversity and acceptance, but it is also in accordance with GIC’s mission to spark conversation about great issues.

“There is no question that race and equality and diversity are great issues,” Della Camera said.
Students who partake in the wristband campaign will visually show their support by wearing the Billiken Blue wristbands—which don the “We are ALL Billikens” slogan—and also by signing “commitment boards.”
“The commitment boards are to show the magnitude of students and faculty and staff who support diversity,” Della Camera said.

Diversity Leadership Cabinet’s Social Justice ribbon campaign involves students attaching ribbons to their backpacks, handbags, etc. The ribbons will have a social justice issue that is important to individual students written on them, and will be sported all around campus.