Christian organizations speak out on President Benson and diversity
Christian organizations on campus are reflecting on the diversity at CU and how newly elected President Bruce Benson will contribute to this issue.
Peer Minister Jamie Mills of Episcopal Ministries to CU Boulder, known as Canterbury Colorado, said the organization is a religious group that values social action and diversity.
“We promote diversity and values and as a student. I was appalled by the lack of diversity here at CU,” Mills said.
The organization is devoted to direct solution and action that helps bring a positive change to students’ lives and helps solve worldly problems, Mills said.
“We value differences of opinion and have a high value for people through our services and outreach programs,” Mills said. “We don’t forget that we need to help the people that are here now, to live in the present. We want to live through Christ’s footsteps.”
Mills described Canterbury Colorado as an intimate group of 20 members that is welcoming to anyone who is willing to be a part of the church or even anyone who has a question.
Mills said he is worried that Benson may cut funding for diversity programs.
“He seems to be focused on money and business issues that are impersonal,” he said. “It would be shameful if he cuts the diversity programs instead of promoting them.”
Mills supports exposure to differing opinions and ways of thinking, something he said can only be achieved through education.
“Education is the key and we are a university so we should be excelling at it,” Mills said.
Campus Ambassadors is another organization based on values and promoting diversity.
Sophomore accounting major and Campus Ambassadors member Sara Wallden said Boulder’s various organizations provide diversity on campus.
“Opposed to other campuses like CSU and UNC, Boulder is very diverse ethnically, socially and religiously,” Wallden said. “I like the diversity here; it keeps life interesting and is very eye-opening.”
David Leiserson, a junior physics major and Campus Ambassadors member, added that CU has some diversity but there could be more.
“I don’t think it’s intentional but more of a coincidence that one group has more than the other in terms of ethnicity,” Leiserson said. “It seems to be weighed more on one side.”
Leiserson said he found it offensive that the regents elected a system president who doesn’t have education past a bachelor’s degree.
“But I think he will help raise money for CU, but the extra money will not benefit us,” Leiserson said. “It won’t lower tuition or student book prices. It’s an unfortunate nature of the bureaucracy that the surplus won’t pass on to the lower groups like the students.”
Campus Crusade for Christ member Jeannette Magnus, a sophomore international affairs major, said she wishes there was more diversity at CU so students can escape the so-called Boulder “bubble.”
“I have an internship in Denver at the mayor’s Office of Education and children and more than half of my coworkers are minorities,” Magnus said. “Going to Denver is a breath of fresh air compared to Boulder.”
Unlike other students, Magnus said she thinks Benson is going to do a great job.
“If we want to make money he is going to rock it.” she said. “He is going to do what he is supposed to do and raise money for CU.”
Wes Lorenzen, a Campus Crusade member and a sophomore architectural engineering major, said CU needs more diversity. However, he also said the minorities on campus have a strong presence as well.
“I think minorities represent themselves well, academically and religiously,” Lorenzen said.
Lorenzen went on to add that since Benson is more conservative than liberal, it will bring a good change to CU because he can bring a different perspective.
“By having a more conservative president we could attract more diversity and different people,” Lorenzen said. “This will help our need for diversity and really open our doors to a variety of students.”
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Katelyn Bell at Katelyn.bell@colorado.edu.
