Sarah Klinetob is of German heritage and wanted to know why and how this has an impact on other students.

Klinetob (junior-engineering science) joined last night's Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Academic Assembly's Diversity Roundtable to listen to a discussion on how to promote diversity in the academic realm.

"Obviously in terms of diversity and equity, things aren't where they need to be yet," Assembly President Mark Levin said.

The Assembly contacted sixteen groups, but only five groups attended.

Assembly members met with representatives from Allies, Black Caucus, Latino Caucus, Hindu Students Council and Council for Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG) to discuss how diversity can be promoted academically.

Vice Provost of Education Equity Terrell Jones and Center for Women Students Director Peggy Lorah also attended the event.

Jones said there are already a number of diversity classes available but not a lot of students are taking them.

"Can you get the people to go to these classes without making them a requirement, and have them sit in a class without disdain because they have to take this class?" asked CCSG Diversity Affairs Director Aniyia Williams.

Allies President Christy Merchant and Latino Caucus Public Relations Officer Laura Bombardi said there aren't enough classes to encourage diversity.

"When the student population is already in the minority, that definitely has an impact on how the student feels and how they act," Merchant said. "We need to educate faculty on how to include different communities."

The recent legislation passed by the University Faculty Senate on the Intercultural Cultures requirement, which requires students to take three credits in international cultures and United States cultures is an improvement to the process of promoting diversity in academics, Jones said.

"It's got to be something that's part of the curriculum," he said. "If it's not part of the curriculum then students don't think it's important."

Shayla Harvin said that the problem is stemming from the administration level.

"We are still looking up to administrators, and if they are talking and talking and talking and not doing anything, then who are we drawing our examples from?" she asked.

USG Multicultural Affairs Director Mark Bagley said a first-year seminar on diversity could be a great place to start.

"[Currently] we are not providing the tools to make Pennsylvania and this country a better environment," he said.

Lorah said Assembly is the voice of students on campus and they should use that power at Faculty Senate meetings.

"You are really strong voices, and it's really important to 'be the change that you want to see in the world,'" she said.

This is the first year a diversity roundtable was organized by Assembly, and there will be legislation recommendations from last night's discussion in next week's meeting, Levin said.