While members of the Faculty Senate expect to pass legislation mandating diversity courses today, University community members say the effectiveness of the proposal hinges on implementation.

Jerry Covert, member of the senate committee on undergraduate instruction, said he expects the proposal to pass during the senate meeting at 1:30 p.m. today in 112 Kern Building.

When legislation passes, its effectiveness will depend largely on course selection guidelines and faculty workshops, Covert said.

But, Felix Lukezic, chairman of the senate committee on undergraduate instruction, said although he has received little negative feedback, the possibility for defeat still exists.

Student members of underrepresented groups support the proposal but share similar concerns over the effectiveness of the implementation.

"The biggest challenge is determining which courses will satisfy this requirement," said Brian McKernan, Lesbian and Gay Student Alliance member.

Academic Diversity Awareness Project member Jeanette Gibson (senior-English) agreed the proposal's effectiveness lies in the criteria for approving courses.

The proposal would require students to pass a three-credit "diversity focused" course or four three-credit "diversity enhanced" courses. Associate degree students opting for diversity enhanced courses would only have to take two three-credits classes.

While focused courses would concentrate on the study of "race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and/or global perspectives," enhanced courses would devote at least 25 percent of the time to these topics.

Covert said his contacts particularly with Commonwealth campus and student senators have convinced him that a large basis of support for the legislation exists, enough to overcome the opposition demonstrated at the teleconference, he said.

At a teleconference last week on the senate's proposal, several University members called the legislation unnecessary and destructive to the core curriculum. Prior to this session, the courses received positive comments from all administrative levels.

To fulfill the requirement, students need not take additional credits. Instead, students may take approved courses within their required classes.

Recommended implementation dates are the summer of 1991 for bachelor's degree students and the summer of 1992 for associate degree students.

The committee added a provision which allows students to fulfill the requirement through "experiential learning, including study abroad, specific and structured internships, Peace Corps experiences and their equivalents."

An appropriate subcommittee must approve such a substitution for the courses.