Bridging the Gap: Promoting Interaction Between Minority and Majority Students at UO
This presentation explores the lack of interaction between minority and majority students at the University of Oregon, highlighting the challenges faced by international students and students of color. We propose a pilot program targeting freshmen during IntroDUCKtion to foster meaningful connections, supported by ASUO and student mentors. Our goal is to enhance integration, break down stereotypes, and create a welcoming atmosphere, leading to a long-term increase in interactions and friendships among diverse student groups.
Bridging the Gap: Promoting Interaction Between Minority and Majority Students at UO
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Presentation Transcript
Los Jefes Marcus Jensen Michael Martinez Autumn Prull Kellie Stewart Vanessa Wu
An International Student Perspective My actual life in the U.S. My expectation of college life in the U.S.
Presentation Overview Situation: Lack of interaction between minority and majority students. Solution: Targeting freshmen at IntroDUCKtion to increase interaction, extending through fall term. Implementation: Pilot program assisted by ASUO and IntroDUCKtion staff, as well as student mentors and incentives.
Why this situation needs our focus… Minority - students of color such as Latino, African American, Native American, International Students, and other various ethnicities Majority - Caucasian or domestic students
Interaction Barriers • Language - ”You must submit results of a standardized language test” (UO Admissions Website) • Stereotypes - “ghetto”, “rich”, “close minded” • Atmosphere - “timid”, “forced”, “awkward”, “selective”, “ignorant”
6.6% Increase in undergraduate minority students at the University of Oregon in the last 5 years. 2,034 minority students enrolled this term.
55.2% Of students made more friends their freshman year than their sophomore, junior or senior year.
59% Of students interacted with minority students less than 4 hours per week.
54% Of students (175) had taken only one or two multicultural courses.
341% In-state: $178.00 per credit hour International and Non-resident: $608.00 per credit hour
68% Freshman: ASUO, Student Orientation Staff, Multicultural Recruitment Long Term Goal: Upon graduation, students that participated in this program will report increased and more frequent interactions between minority and majority students.
Ideally, this pilot program will: • Diminish Intimidation • 2. Create a platform for both groups to interact
