Diversity is a multifaceted concept that includes race, sex, age, background, sexual orientation and anything else that makes people unique, and Ball State organizations want to help students understand it.
To do this, they are sponsoring Unity Week, with speakers, food sampling, interactive programs and a beauty pageant.
"It's important to understand in order to survive and thrive as a citizen of this world," Multicultural Center Director Derek Virgil said. "We have to be willing to embrace others and their cultures."
One goal of the week is to get students to support events for the Ball State community, Tiffany Washington, assistant director of Student Life, said. It began more than 20 years ago, she said, and has expanded since then.
The week is planned by a committee with members in the Black Student Association, Asian American Student Association, Latino Student Union, Student Life and Spectrum, Ball State's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight ally organization. The variety of students involved reflects how much the week has grown.
"Initial intent was to unify races," Virgil said. "The idea has carried until now."
While attendance last year was good, Washington said she hoped students who did participate previously would come to the events.
The biggest event will be Floyd Flake's keynote speech Thursday titled "Community, Cooperation, Change." Flake is president of Wilberforce University in Ohio, which is the oldest black university in the United States.
"Dr. Flake flies from New York to Wilberforce every day," Virgil said. "He's a very busy man. We were lucky enough to have a grad assistant who was able to contact him."
SCHEDULE:
MONDAY: MARTIN LUTHER KING Day Observance7 a.m. Celebration Breakfast (free)L.A. Pittenger Student Center, Cardinal HallDoors open at 6:30 a.m.8:30 a.m. Educational WorkshopsStudent Center7 p.m. MLK CelebrationChrist Temple Church (654 N Jefferson Street)
TUESDAY: "WHO LIVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?"7 p.m. Student Center, Forum RoomInteractive diversity program designed to help the audience uncover biases, stereotypes, values, perceptions and attitudes pertaining to race, class and gender tensions.
WEDNESDAY: "A CUP OF CULTURE"6 p.m. Multicultural CenterSample cultural food.
THURSDAY: "COMMUNITY, COOPERATION, CHANGE:"7 p.m. Emens AuditoriumFormer U.S. congressman and current president of Wilberforce University, Floyd Flake, will give the keynote address. The Wilberforce University Choir will sing.
JAN. 19: VARIETY SHOW8 p.m. Student Center, BallroomA variety show featuring Ball State's own D.J. Cold Hustle. The event will include liturgical dancing, stepping, and poetry from Ball State students and surrounding communities.
JAN. 20: "UNDISCOVERED BEAUTY"3 p.m. Pruis HallAnnual Unity Pageant$3 for BSU students$5 for non-students
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