University of Illinois - DiversityCollege Prowler2.69
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Diversity Grades:
College Prowler Take
Opinions on the diversity of U of I's student body really depend on the type of students you ask. A minority student will say that the campus is not diverse, but a white student will generally say the campus is very diverse. The truth is that a large percentage of the students are white, while there is less than 10 percent each of African Americans and Hispanics. However, for being located in central Illinois, these statistics are rather impressive. Moreover, the University has one of the highest international student enrollments in the country—10th among public universities—due to the prestige of its engineering and business programs. Efforts are made to reach minority students, and cultural events and art shows give much needed attention to non-white students. There are many groups that connect UIUC students to international students, as well as dozens of minority student organizations that are very active on campus and frequently host events or put on shows.
A big debate on campus in 2007 was the issue of the Chief mascot. The campus was divided over this issue, which the NCAA resolved by eliminating such mascots for several colleges. Critics claimed that the practice took a sacred Native American tradition and used it for sport, while supporters claimed it was a respectful dance, a harmless tradition, and a priceless institution. Currently, the University will retain the “Illini” and “Fighting Illini” nicknames. Hopefully, the change will allow former critics to feel more comfortable.
Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
I think we need more international...
I think we need more international students. And no, outside of Chicago does not mean international. |
Anonymous says: |
Seventy percent of the campus is...
Seventy percent of the campus is made up of people from the suburbs of Chicago, but there is a lot of diversity on campus. |
Anonymous says: |
Oh, we have diversity now? Man, no...
Oh, we have diversity now? Man, no one tells me anything. |
thepro9424 says: University of Illinois 2013 Undecided |
UIUC Diversity
A
There are a lot of different students attending at UIUC. Since university accepts many international students, there are a lot of diversity within campus community. University also holds the events for students with many different cultural backgrounds. There are many special dinning themes at specific dates too.
Diversity: March 17, 2010
Report |
Anonymous says: |
There are organizations like La...
There are organizations like La Casa Cultural Latina and the African American Cultural program, which are ‘among the oldest cultural centers in the nation,’ according to a U of I Web site. |
Facts
Economic Status
U of I is predominantly a middle-class environment. People generally come from small or medium-sized cities throughout Illinois.
Gay Pride
Groups like PFLAG and LGBT encourage tolerance, and there are SafeZones on campus. On the other hand, the gay community is not very outspoken.
Minority Clubs on Campus
The minority clubs are active on campus. There are fraternities and sororities for different ethnicities, and the campus hosts multicultural events to encourage diversity and education.
Most Common Religions
Groups like InterVarsity and Campus Crusade for Christ, as well as Bible study groups, actively recruit students. The Atheists, Agnostics, and Freethinkers group occasionally engages in panel discussions with Christian groups, encouraging theological discussion among students.
Political Activity
Most of the campus is socially and politically liberal. However, these views are rarely expressed in rallies or protests, and are for the most part confined to the opinions section of the student newspaper.
Did You Know?
The University of Illinois has the largest Greek system in the country, in terms of the sheer volume of organizations.
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