Why
diversity? Why do we refer to a confluence of cultures when
we talk about the campus community? At The University of Montana,
we believe strongly that we must prepare young people for meaningful
and engaged lives in the increasingly interdependent and technological
world of the 21st century. To prepare for life in a global
society, our graduates must have interactions with others who look
and think differently. What they learn here will help them succeed,
whatever their careers. Surely all Americans have learned that
vital lesson from recent events at home and abroad.
As
I prepare this message, I have just returned from extensive discussions
with representatives of collaborating institutions in South Korea
and Japan. Exchange agreements that bring students from other countries to
the Missoula campus and enable our students to study abroad have increasing
importance. In the same vein, we have initiated efforts to attract increasing
numbers of American Indians, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Asian
Americans as students, staff and faculty. The resulting environment produces
tremendous vitality and strength because of its diversity. We believe the learning
process is greatly enriched because of the diversity of views and cultures
of the people who make up the campus community.
I
believe this report provides a sense of the changing campus community
and the importance we assign to an appropriately diverse environment.
That purpose explains my opening questions that help to define a University
as the people and programs, not the corporate structure or the physical facilities.
At The University of Montana, people and their programs flourish and serve
vital public purposes only to the extent that they have access to facilities
designed to meet their needs. The 2003 President's Report relates people and
programs to facilities in a dynamic symbiosis.
George
M. Dennison
President |
