A new school year, a new theme
Katie Davidson
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Health & Lifestyles
Next year, Lynchburg College's theme will be The Year of Alliances and Diversity in hopes to promote understanding and make connections with different people. Student Government Association President Ally Datz said the theme will be focused on celebrating diversity rather than "focusing on discrimination."
To implement the theme more widely across campus, SGA plans to involve other school organizations. Datz said SGA will work closely with Student Activities Board, Black Student Association and Gay-Straight Alliance.
Datz said her vision is that the theme will stretch farther than celebrating different sexual orientation and ethnicities on campus. She hopes that students will celebrate all differences in campus culture.
"We want to take it to a bigger level. We'll look at body image, opinion, economic class, cultural differences, age and also the divide between students from the North and the South," Datz said. "We're addressing diversity in ways that more people will be able to participate in."
Sophomore Zach Ward hopes that the theme will not alienate those who feel "different in society" by focusing on diversity, but will instead celebrate their differences.
"Celebrating differences is great. I think that every group has something different to bring to the party," Ward said.
Junior Kaitlyn Edwards thinks next year's theme is a great opportunity to "raise awareness of other perspectives outside of [her] comfort zone."
"I think it will give us a more open mind to what's out there. We're not always going to be stuck in this little school," Edwards said.
Datz believes the theme will inspire students to change the way they perceive people who are different from them.
"The ultimate goal is a transformed LC campus that is full of allies aware of their prejudices, how they affect others and how to discuss and understand diversity with others," Datz said. "It's more than differences. It's about understanding the differences and personal prejudices to be an ally with someone that's different."
To implement the theme more widely across campus, SGA plans to involve other school organizations. Datz said SGA will work closely with Student Activities Board, Black Student Association and Gay-Straight Alliance.
Datz said her vision is that the theme will stretch farther than celebrating different sexual orientation and ethnicities on campus. She hopes that students will celebrate all differences in campus culture.
"We want to take it to a bigger level. We'll look at body image, opinion, economic class, cultural differences, age and also the divide between students from the North and the South," Datz said. "We're addressing diversity in ways that more people will be able to participate in."
Sophomore Zach Ward hopes that the theme will not alienate those who feel "different in society" by focusing on diversity, but will instead celebrate their differences.
"Celebrating differences is great. I think that every group has something different to bring to the party," Ward said.
Junior Kaitlyn Edwards thinks next year's theme is a great opportunity to "raise awareness of other perspectives outside of [her] comfort zone."
"I think it will give us a more open mind to what's out there. We're not always going to be stuck in this little school," Edwards said.
Datz believes the theme will inspire students to change the way they perceive people who are different from them.
"The ultimate goal is a transformed LC campus that is full of allies aware of their prejudices, how they affect others and how to discuss and understand diversity with others," Datz said. "It's more than differences. It's about understanding the differences and personal prejudices to be an ally with someone that's different."