When Hedei Underuss started at the University of Memphis five years ago, she immediately felt overwhelmed by the different people she met.
“I was shocked on how open people where to me,” Underuss, a Muslim student, said. “I thought I might be an outcast because I am Muslim, but I am very happy how friendly everyone is to me.”
The U of M works to promote diversity among students not just racial, but also cultural, sexual, and religious. The celebration of Black History month in February and Women’s History month in March, are two of the ways the school wants students to have new experiences. The U of M offers 223 Registered Student Organizations. Of those RSOs, more than 50 of them are religious or cultural organizations. Many of the RSOs also host events to allow students to experience their culture or religion. Also among the diversity efforts is the Office of Multicultural Affairs, who house seven RSOs.
“I come from Paris, TN, which is a small town, and there are no Muslims there,” said Houston Haws, a freshman biology student. “This year I got to have a real conversation with a Muslim student, so I got to learn what Muslims are all about for myself.”
It was a mind opening experience to see diversity around the campus, Haws said. “That’s what college is all about.”
Whatever field you are studying in, you will meet new people who are different from you. Having diverse experiences in college will help you be open to all people, Haws said.
There are 20 religious RSOs, among them are Christian, Muslim Jewish, and Catholic. It is important to have religious diversity on campus so that every student feels welcome, said Brandon Rodgers a 19-year-old freshman, who is part of Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship.
“When you have job in the future and there is someone of a different religion you won’t feel awkward being around them if you have already been around someone of a different religion,” Rodgers said.
There are Indian, Saudi, African-American, Persian, Korean, Asian, Hispanic, and Bangladesh student organizations on campus. Most of these organizations welcome all students to learn about their different cultures.
George Chen, 19-year-old criminal justice sophomore and member of the Asian American Association, said the AAA tries to include everyone.
“We aren’t exclusive,” Chen said. “We try to let everyone learn about the AAA and do stuff like the Asian week this week.”
Chen doesn’t think our university is as diverse as it could be though.
“There is some diverse, but not as much as other schools,” Chen said.
It’s important to learn about people from other cultures, races, and religions because then we can accept others for how they are, Chen said. The school could do more to promote minorities, he said.
“People from minorities have cool personalities and shit like that,” Chen said.
