The University has seen an increase in multicultural enrollment.

Gary Swegan, Assistant Vice President and Director of Admissions, said the enrollment numbers are up from last year and predicts a significant increase for 2010 as well.

‘Last year we were fully staffed and had a multicultural recruitment representative,’ Swegan said. ‘This school year we are fully staffed plus one, so we can only go forward from here.’

University Provost Ken Borland said diversity and inclusion are central to the University. By the first of the year, the University hopes to see an implementation of new activities focused on diversity.

‘Diversity is a value; it’s not something you can measure,’ Borland said. ‘[But] we want everyone who enrolls to feel welcome, safe and comfortable.’

Emily Monago, interim director of Multicultural Affairs, said the Center for Multicultural and Academic Initiatives has collaborated with the admissions office to host events that will attract prospective students.

‘Just recently we had high school students attend the Latino Issues Conference,’ Monago said.

Monago said they handed out applications to the students in attendance at the conference. They also plan on doing the same thing for the Black Issues Conference.

Vice President of Enrollment Management Albert Colom said the economy will definitely have an impact on enrollment, but he is confident the University will grow in numbers.

‘The economy is going to impact everyone, but the University has enough in place for students of color to where it shouldn’t be a problem,’ Colom said.

Colom said to gain more multicultural enrollment, a good idea would be for students who are enjoying their college experience to talk to high school students about what the University has to offer.

Dean Bryson, Black Student Union president, said BSU might be able to help with that, but it is also up to individuals.

‘As an organization, BSU would be willing to assist the University’s recruitment team,’ he said, ‘But as individuals, I think it’s a good idea to visit high schools, middle schools and even churches [to] promote BGSU.’

If the University succeeds in increasing culturally diverse enrollment, Monago said the campus and community will definitely benefit.

‘An even more culturally diverse BG is going to enrich the educational experience for all students, whether it’s in class, around campus, or living together,’ she said. ‘It will enrich the community as well.’