13,000 undergraduates at Georgia Tech • Over 2,000 international students (15%) • 111 countries represented • Constant increase in Latino & African American students • 1,039 women in the incoming class
But let's take a step back... While 15% of our student body is international, think for a second how many of your friends are American, but are second or third generation? How many are half Hispanic, Asian, or Indian? How many speak another language or have other unique cultural backgrounds/customs? That statistic is impossible to calculate, but a conservative estimate probably accounts for 30-40% of our student body!
Our thoughts moving forward...
Cultural & Diversity Affairs • Re-establish the Cultural Council [which will be more cognizant of cultural organizations' needs]. • We founded last year to facilitate collaboration among cultural organizations on campus. • We secured a food component in the Joint Finance Committee Policy, but realize that much more needs to be done to better fund the needs of cultural groups. • This Council will serve as a funding source, specifically for food and giveaways. • Actively pursue the creation of a Cultural Center, directly impacting the profound, personal issues that minority students face on day-to-day basis. • Proposing three components: (1) an LGBTQ office, (2) a multicultural office, and (3) an interfaith office. • Combining the many diversity initiatives on this campus which are disjoint, including the Office of Diversity Programs (housed in Student Affairs) and the Office of Institute Diversity (housed in the administration).
LGBTQ Community • Realizing the urban nature of Georgia Tech and the available outlets next to campus, there is still a necessity of on-campus, administrative resources for this community. • The LGBT community is among the most under-served groups on campus. Over the next year, we will bring together major stakeholders on campus to lead efforts in creating the LGBTQ arm of the Cultural Center.
International Community • Georgia Tech provides many resources to help international students better assimilate to campus life and life in the US. Still, a few gaps exist: • CPT/OPT Credit: As non-US citizens, most international students are already limited to a select few employers who are willing to hire them for internship/co-op/full-time opportunities. It is especially challenging for them to land internships • International Football Clinic: During the Fall, we will plan an international football clinic, a collaborative effort with Student Government, the Athletic Association, and other student groups to bring the football team and international students together to learn about American football, its quirks, and the art of tailgating! What instills "Georgia Tech" traditions more than some tailgating followed by Yellow Jacket football?
Spark 2012: On Athletics
April 5th 2012 | 10:13 PM
Spark 2012: Our Campaign in 3 Minutes
April 4th 2012 | 02:32 PM
