Nurturing campus diversity

Several campus groups have recently proposed that the University issue a statement of support for minorities, or consider asking freshmen to sign a pledge of support for diversity. In general, the Opinion Board supports such steps: If they succeed in making minorities feel more comfortable, it will be an important victory. At best, these changes nurture a sense of welcome and place for minorities and can become something of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Such statements can't legislate belief and may not change the way people think or act, but they are a step in the right direction. Few can argue with the idea of simply reinforcing the foundational principle of academia that encourages toleration for all people and viewpoints.

The University already tells freshmen that in coming here they must agree to accept this sort of diversity, in the same way we tell them they can't cheat on tests or papers. Whether students like it or not, respect for others is a basic component of being at a school with all different types of students, and there is nothing wrong with reminding people of this underlying belief before they even set foot on campus. If the principles of the honor code and tolerance don't sit well with admitted freshmen, perhaps they shouldn't be here in the first place.

Initiating a "zero tolerance" policy for harassment — an option that movement leaders admit would require significant research and administrative approval — conveys to all students just how serious these issues are. The Opinion Board is no fan of the bureaucratic absurdities that often result from blind enforcement of "zero-tolerance;" to avoid this, we encourage the University to clarify and widely publicize what precisely constitutes "harassment." Still, we are confident that such a policy could make an important difference here at Princeton. Our administrators are reasonable people, and reason is critical to implementing such policy fairly and appropriately. Above all, we should guard against hassling students for making "offensive" statements that are really free speech.

Some may worry that a statement of support could stigmatize minorities by singling them out. Unfortunately, minorities are already unfairly singled out — that's why the University needs to take action. Daily Princetonian editorials are written by the Editorial & Opinion Editors, Managing Editors and Editor-In-Chief.

Dissent: Campus needs more kindness, not code

As I made clear on this page last May, I think Princeton's culture of exclusion is hurtful and wrong. I agree in spirit with any effort to make our campus more eclectic — more open to a wider range of minority views and personalities. But I doubt a "social honor code" will do the trick. We force pre-frosh to say they'll turn in any friends they find cheating. What's the result? Many students refuse to rat out their friends, but because they've been forced to pledge allegiance to the Honor Code they feel they have to hide their true opinions. Likewise, a policy that forces people to say they respect diversity won't actually change attitudes — it will just drive our actions and our words further apart.

Princeton's current definition of harassment is so fuzzy that a "zero tolerance" policy for it would leave us in the dark about exactly what's allowed and what's not. The University needs a good definition that sets clear cases of abuse apart from the freewheeling, challenging and sometimes angry discussion that characterizes robust free speech, and it needs to punish every case of real abuse. But the broader lack of respect and inclusion on this campus is maintained by individual students and cannot be changed by legislation. Nothing the University can say, or force others to say, will help Kindred Spirit get a spot in the arch rotation, make hard-line conservatives respect Peter Singer or persuade our fraternities and sororities to diversify their membership. These choices rest with individuals, and if we really do want to change the tone, it's up to each of us. Rules can't make people kind, but a genuine change of spirit on our part could make Princeton a much better, more welcoming place. David Robinson Editorials & Opinions Editor