I really believe that the future of our country depends on folding diverse peoples into a common set of goals. The theme of this newsletter, "Value-Added: Celebrating Diversity in the College of Agriculture," describes exactly how I feel about the importance of diversity.

The value of diversity is that it draws people together so they can share experiences and viewpoints. Our College goal is integration, and that goal applies equally to students, staff, faculty and administration. Different experiences should be valued on all sides.

Accepting diversity requires individual commitment. Our administration cannot force people to value those from a different culture or those with a viewpoint that varies from the "norm," but we do expect continued growth in awareness. I am hoping for changes, not utopia.

As a monthly, brief newsletter, "Value-Added," will keep everyone in our College constantly aware of the importance of diversity—of the need to pay attention to differing viewpoints simply because they add value to our existence. For those reasons, this newsletter will feature articles about people.

Again, I emphasize our goal: Diversity should be integrated into all parts of our College life."

Eugene G. Sander, Dean

The College of Agriculture Diversity Committee, consisting of 13 representatives from all levels, was officially formed in January 1993. Members decided on three goals:

1. To increase awareness of diversity in the College;
2. To strengthen respect for the degree of diversity that already exists in the College;
3. To accent the belief that diversity brings quality to programs and relationships.

To address the first goal, the Committee sponsored a two-day training session for the entire College in March '93. About half the staff and faculty attended.

In 1994, the College is emphasizing the second goal: to strengthen diversity. The Executive Council and the Committee have already had an experiential cultural diversity field trip/retreat focusing on the native peoples in Arizona. One part of strengthening diversity involves respecting, mastering (and perhaps changing) how we think about ourselves and others.

The next step is learning to speak with and listen to people with different backgrounds. Knowing how to pay attention to non-verbal language imbedded in cultures is also important. We have a measure of the importance given by the University administration to programs we have planned. Martha Gilliland, vice provost of academic affairs, has awarded funding to support our Committee's work, including supporting this newsletter.

Shirley O'Brien, Chair

Ron Cluff is the Graham County Extension Director and a Committee member. He attended a seminar on "Delivering Diversity Education to the Cooperative Extension System," held at Kentucky State University recently. His report follows. "Most CES institutions are engaged in unique efforts to implement the declared emphasis on diversity. However, when we focus on outcome, we are frustrated." That frustration may be partly because we fail to recognize achieving and sustaining diversity and pluralism is not easy. Institutional efforts require comprehensive approaches and are progressive and long-term. They don't produce quick fixes.

Each month "Value-Added" will feature abstracts about diversity from many sources. If you want more information about a particular item, please call 621-7145.

EEO/Diversity

Valuing diversity reflects an attitude that is essentially different from EEO or affirmative action. The EEO battles against racism and prejudice. Valuing diversity moves toward reaping the benefits that differences bring. Equal rights necessarily came to mean we are all the same. Valuing diversity views people as having equal rights while being different. Culture is not something that only foreigners share. Griggs Productions, San Francisco, has produced a 7-part video training series on Valuing Diversity.

Writing Tips

Writing for people who have learned English in another country requires care.

• Stay away from cliches.
• Avoid words recently formed by adding "ize".
• Be more formal and cordial.
• Avoid sports analogies.
• Don't refer to "this country."

Sue Hershkowitz in Meeting News.

Networking

We can no longer generalize to groups; we have to deal with individuals. There is no one way to treat Hispanics or American Indians because each group is as diverse as the general population. "Networking" is one solution. Find out about a different culture by talking to someone from that culture.

"Special Needs News," Utah State University, Winter 1994.

Workplace Diversity

The growing diversity of the American population makes the search for unifying ideals even more crucial. Change and new views of reality must be acknowledged. Soon, white Americans will become a minority group. Racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. will outnumber whites. The future is only going to get more complex; we have to work hard to be prepared for what is ahead of us.

"Diversity in the Workforce," Paula Scott, Special Needs News, Winter 1994.

Manager's Role

Your position as a manager makes you a role model for your staff, and your behavior broadcasts a very clear message. For example, if you don't tell jokes that could be hurtful or if you do confront racist remarks, you set a tone of tolerance in your work group.

"Managing Diversity," Lee Gardenswartz and Anita Rowe, March 1994.

Our 1994 UA Cooperative Extension Annual Conference will include diversity training as part of the Multicultural Day, Thursday, December 8, at the Tucson Hilton East Hotel. Beth Tucker, Extension Director in Coconino County, is in charge of planning the training.

"50 Activities for Managing Cultural Diversity" by Terri Dickerson-Jones. The 300-page manual has detailed notes for the trainer, questionnaires, exercises, and handouts. Available for $139 plus S&H; to order, call 1-800-542-7869.

"Pigs in Heaven," by Tucson author Barbara Kingsolver, describes the adoption of an American Indian child by a single, white woman. Available in local bookstores for $22.

"We are for difference_for respecting difference_for allowing difference. Until difference doesn't make any more difference.

National Center for Diversity, Kentucky State University

"In minor ways we differ...In major ways we're the same. I note the obvious differences between each sort, each type. But we are more alike my friends, than we are unalike."

Maya Angelou