2008 Woodie Awards
Mines and The Tipping Point
Diversity in the Engineering Environment
By Zach Aman
10/1/07 - Features
"Institutions that Mines compares itself to are doing a better job with diversity. So, if you want to stay in that kind of company, you have to do better," said Dr. Daryl E. Chubin, Director of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Capacity Center.
In a series of lectures delivered late last week, Chubin discussed the necessity of an inclusive college environment. "Talking about diversity is very difficult. It's emotionally wrenching, it forces people to address things explicitly that they would rather leave implicit," said Chubin. With reference to diversity planning, he added, "If it succeeds, it will transform this campus."
Chubin's presentations centered around The Tipping Point - a book written by Malcolm Gladwell - and methods to implement its teachings in a collegiate environment.
In regard to Mines' new focus on diversity, Chubin noted; "The biggest tragedy is when people who are capable and are interested are turned off and go elsewhere." He continued with his personal definition of diversity, saying that diversity means "all sorts of differences that matter to the community: disability, sexual orientation, first-generation college attendance, and language, in addition to the typical ones. The point is whether you see the differences as an asset or as a liability."
In explaining how to understand diversity, Chubin explained, "You don't do diversity for diversity's sake, you do it because it makes the outcomes better. Professors need to ask themselves: 'What are my assumptions about students who don't look like me?'" Chubin also explained that people tend to become consumed with the "visible" types of diversity, as opposed to the "invisible" types.
In addition, Chubin pointed out that engineering communities tend to have a difficult time with change: "This is a set of communities that do not learn very well. They do themselves a great disservice. Gatekeeper courses do a lot to remove people who are good and capable."
At the end of his lecture, Chubin was careful to note, "We are outsiders, which means I can say a bunch of stuff that you don't like, then hop a plane and go home."
In a series of lectures delivered late last week, Chubin discussed the necessity of an inclusive college environment. "Talking about diversity is very difficult. It's emotionally wrenching, it forces people to address things explicitly that they would rather leave implicit," said Chubin. With reference to diversity planning, he added, "If it succeeds, it will transform this campus."
Chubin's presentations centered around The Tipping Point - a book written by Malcolm Gladwell - and methods to implement its teachings in a collegiate environment.
In regard to Mines' new focus on diversity, Chubin noted; "The biggest tragedy is when people who are capable and are interested are turned off and go elsewhere." He continued with his personal definition of diversity, saying that diversity means "all sorts of differences that matter to the community: disability, sexual orientation, first-generation college attendance, and language, in addition to the typical ones. The point is whether you see the differences as an asset or as a liability."
In explaining how to understand diversity, Chubin explained, "You don't do diversity for diversity's sake, you do it because it makes the outcomes better. Professors need to ask themselves: 'What are my assumptions about students who don't look like me?'" Chubin also explained that people tend to become consumed with the "visible" types of diversity, as opposed to the "invisible" types.
In addition, Chubin pointed out that engineering communities tend to have a difficult time with change: "This is a set of communities that do not learn very well. They do themselves a great disservice. Gatekeeper courses do a lot to remove people who are good and capable."
At the end of his lecture, Chubin was careful to note, "We are outsiders, which means I can say a bunch of stuff that you don't like, then hop a plane and go home."
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