Attracting those of French, Haitian and Congolese roots, the Club Francophonie meets in the Slutzker Center for International Services to enjoy French food, movies and conversation.

Some see it as isolationist while others see it as cross-cultural, but both are important in supporting diversity on campus.

Separation among  cultural groups, which exists at universities across the country, is a natural tendency that is an important and complementary aspect of integration, said Pat Burak, director of the Slutzker Center. Spending time with those of similar backgrounds allows students a supportive environment to “refuel,” she said, adding this does not detract from the mix of diverse groups on campus.

In fact, Burak said, integration among various groups on campus is increasing. While separation exists among diverse groups at Syracuse University, she added, many students take advantage of the abundant opportunities to cross these boundaries every day.

“I’ve been here for many years,” she said. “I see much more acceptance overall of the global diversity of our population.”

Burak cited examples as diverse as the acceptance of international athletes on sports teams to the recognition of vegetarian and gluten-free dietary requirements in dining halls.

But Elane Granger, associate director for student services at the Slutzker Center, said the increasing integration on campus is especially evident through two Slutzker Center programs that enable dialogue among diverse groups on campus.

Mix-it-Up, a weekly gathering of domestic and international students for food and conversation, and SU Fulbright Orange Dialogue for Peace, a retreat in which outdoor activities complement story-sharing sessions, both allow students to address differences and discover connections, Granger said.

When Mix-it-Up began in 2006, Granger said, domestic students’ participation was limited and international students often complained of isolation and negative experiences. Domestic and international students alike “complained loudly about the segregation on campus,” Granger said. But now, stories shared at Mix-it-Up more often highlight themes of inclusion.

Likewise, Orange Dialogue demonstrates the integration theme through its growth, Granger said. This year, two retreats were held in addition to the two main retreats held in September and February.

Orange Dialogue offers students an opportunity to explore differences within a group, she said, noting one instance in which Taiwanese and Chinese students discussed the conflicting dynamic between the two groups during the retreat.

A perception of isolation on campus exists because many opportunities for day-to-day integration are not always visible, Burak said. For example, although international and domestic students work together and interact through classes, part-time jobs and residence halls, these often are less visible than large events.

Yutian Yang, vice president of Phi Beta Delta, an international honor society, said she also sees that large events geared toward specific groups garner the most attention. Events with a cultural focus on Asian, Caribbean or African-American groups generally attract attendees of the respective identities.

At the same time, Yang said she considers campus well-integrated, particularly noting her appreciation of students’ acceptance of international students.

Opportunities geared toward specific groups and opportunities geared toward integration are important, said Granger, associate director for student services at the Slutzker Center.

“You have to support individual populations,” she said, “but you also have to work together to bring the populations together.”

Published on April 2, 2013 at 11:18 pm