YOUR COMMENTS

I am most proud of my alma mater in extending its long tradition of inclusiveness and pursuit of the truth. Although my education on the hilltop opened the world to me and gave me the gift of both spirituality and a strong liberal arts background, it was lacking in my contacts with diverse students. Diversity--whether in race, gender, sexual orientation, or geographic origin--enhances discussions both in classrooms and in dorms, and aids the quest for truth. My daughter would not consider attending St. Anselm precisely because it was not diverse. Her liberal arts college includes a 15% population of international and minority students, and her contacts with these diverse friends have made all the difference in her life. The rather racist comments here reinforce the vital mission of increasing diversity at St. A's. Thank you my dear former adviser Denise Askin. Please help the college remain an island of reason and open minds and hearts.
- Lisa, Class of 1984, Manassas,VA

One would suppose that at the outset of the school's adoption coeducation that the Union Leader pandered to the blatant sexism of that day not so long ago. By building a more "diverse" student body at that point in history, the college developed one of the preeminent nursing programs in the country and better prepared it's then young men to live in a world that, gasp, was inhabited by women.
How is this step toward a more diverse student body any different. St. A's, as an institution of higher learning that just so happens to be affiliated with the Catholic Church, has a duty to prepare it's students to perform in the modern workplace and world. How can one successfully do so when the interactions and interpersonal relationships of its students are limited by race, creed, or color?
Above all, academic ability and the thirst for knowledge will rule the day on the Hill Top as it always has, only now those that undergo those pursuits might not only be from upper middle class Caucasian families.
Wake Up New Hampshire! It is 2008 and there is an African America President elect. Don't you think you should catch up?

-A proud member of the Class of 2004
- John, Norwood, MA

A lot of students writing here are missing the article's point that by simply bringing in people who look different that St. A’s will automatically be more "diverse" or that such a thing matters. White people themselves are radically different from one another, to which this board is ample testimony (assuming most are white, which is likely.) Simply having more people with different skin colors won't mean more "diversity." But again, that misses the point. Sure it would be great to have students of all different backgrounds, and that’s fine. But the danger is, in order to attract ANY student, standards could drop. In the case of a Catholic school, that means more than just academics. The school’s Catholic identity already seems compromised with Leftist social movements gaining currency and co-ed dorms that will likely lead to, um, “distractions.” If I was one of those trustees, I’d strive to take care to keep it a Catholic school - and that strong reputation will attract people of ALL races and backgrounds who want a more rigorous and morally focused education.
- Stephen A., Manchester

As a recent graduate of St. A's, I feel that I have some relevant opinions. First, the vaunted survey that these underclassmen have been quoting so much was a absolute joke, and it was insultingly discriminatory to anyone not considered to be a "minority." There were entire pages of questions which were only accessible if you answered that you were any race but white, and all of the questions were worded in such a manner as to make the status quo sound bad no matter what your answer was. When I took the survey I was outraged, but did anyone listen to me or the large group of students with similar views? No. Of course not, we're white and Catholic, we couldn't possibly have opinions that mattered....

The crux of the issue is that the college is a business. The move to co-ed dorms last year was a sham: they could easily have shifted the buildings around in a manner that would have maintained single sex dormitories, but now they can use co-ed dorms as a marketing tool to try to increase the dwindling number of male applicants to the college. Never mind that in the co-ed dorm intervisitation rules became impossible to enforce. Sure they put some buzzers on a few doors, but they did nothing and the RAs got so discouraged that they just stopped trying.

I'm not really sure why these things are happening when even a young college grad like myself can see that they are insane, but I do know that not all of the monks agree with the changes, and that especially the move to co-ed dorms outraged a significant portion of the monastic community.

As a final note, if the minority students want to come, that's great. But, let it happen because they want what the campus stands for, not because the campus changed so that they could be recruited. Give them all the same chances as a non-minority student, don't make it more difficult for them, but don't give them special treatment. To treat them differently would be discriminatory to them, and to non-minority students with the same qualifications.
- Daniel, Class of '08

I am proud to tell people that I am lucky enough to attend an establishment as great as Saint Anselm College. First and foremost, the college is concerned with its students and their education.

Last year, the students were asked to fill out a survey about their race, culture, and ethnicity and how they felt on campus. Because of what the STUDENTS filled out on this survey, the college is deciding to take action. As always, Saint Anselm College does what is best for its students.

This article and a lot of these posts are disgusting. I will not let the narrow-minded views of uninformed, blatantly racist spectators affect my view of this prestigious college. My education here will make me a well-rounded, more diversified (if you will) student than any other college I could've attended. I will take classes in Humanities, Philosophy, and Ethics, just to name a few. I will and have had the chance to meet prominent figures of our nation who visit the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, which is just a short walk away. I will be asked to think about things greater than myself. And most importantly to me, I will be in a setting where I feel I can grow and mature with people who might not necessarily be the same race as me or have the same views as me but who I know have the same prerogative as me: attending Saint Anselm College.
- Lauren '11, Saint Anselm College

No school that charges $41,000 a year can be diverse.
- Stephen Scaer, Nashua

As a student of the college, I find this insulting. Although the college may not have a lot of cultural diversity, I have met many students from different religious backgrounds which made me have a more will rounded outlook. Also, the college offers courses where students are given opportunities to learn about different cultures and many courses integrate service learning.
There is nothing wrong with the college trying to seek cultural diversity if their standards stay the same and don't offer scholarhips based on race or ethnicity.The college simply tries to encourage more applicants from different cultures and backgrounds and tries to make the college appeal to them without leaving their core values. It has been mentioned that minorities tend to stick with each other UNLESS the administration makes the environment welcoming. Because Saint Anselm is a small school that is very welcoming and has a great quality education. As long as the inclusiveness won't reduce the quality of education, I see nothing wrong with it.
- Stephanie, MA

I think I have a "man-crush" on Jack. His discussion points are clear, succinct and profoundly objective.

Unlike the so-called progressives who are elated at the idea of another somewhat conservative institution being marginalized by their left-wing beliefs.

Some of the students from St A's have conveyed their views far more clearly than "race baiters" like Victor and Carolyn.

(And for the record I'd have no problem with mixed race marriage and/or grandkids, but nice try race-baiters.)

By immediatley succumbing to the vitriolic name calling, the progressives are trying to move the premise of the op-ed to race and bigotry when the op-ed clearly indicates the UL's position that the paper thinks it's wrong for St. A's to pander to the Politcally Correct with their new inclusiveness doctrine.

Here's a crazy idea: Why not focus on academic excellence and let race/sex/creed etc. fall by the wayside?

The funny thing about that is the racists (on both sides of the race card) would be awfully confused when after 10-15 years St. A's would probably be largely Asian!
- Bob, Nashua

I’m appalled. As a young girl attending CCD I was taught that being Catholic meant learning the teachings of the Catholic Church and putting them into practice. I was also taught that we should spread the message of God to everyone, and that being Catholic meant having sympathies with all. Nowhere in education was I taught that discrimination, name-calling, sarcasm, attacking words, and undermining people were God’s message. There is hate in the comments regarding both editorials, this one and the one to which this responds. Suddenly wanting to better educate our students by opening their eyes to people who are not exactly the same as them is the same as opening abortion clinics in the nursing department?

“St. Anselm's pursuit of on-campus diversity as marked by physical and behavioral attributes -- race, ethnicity, sexuality -- will result in less diversity from college to college in New Hampshire.” What does this mean? That St. Anselm College should be all white, straight, Irish students? As a student of St. Anselm College I am actually offended by this elitist comment. “St. Anselm has always offered something different from the modern, socially liberal university experience available nearly everywhere else. It has offered its students the chance to attend college in an environment in which Roman Catholic teachings, not the dominant culture, hold sway, and in which thought is valued more highly than skin color.” As mentioned in Fr. Jonathan’s response, the including of other cultures is such a benefit to the students and shows in action the Roman Catholic teachings: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." (Rom. 15:7). If involving different cultures and ethnicities in the school’s population does not promote more expansive thinking and does not broaden the students’ horizons, then I do not know what will. They are connected.

If one attends the 7:00PM mass on Sunday, they may also hear God’s message through the choir as their voices fill the Abbey reminding us of God’s love: “I give to you a new commandment. A new commandment I give to you; that you love one another. Love one another as I have loved you.” Love one another as I have loved you. I see this taking place on the campus as students from different background with different ways of thinking interact with one another- sharing their beliefs, their stories. This campus makes me proud to be a Catholic because I see it doing what God wanted: including others, accepting others, loving others. It is comments like the extreme, angry outbursts seen in the replies of people renouncing the school for its beliefs and refusing to let their children apply here that show me a sad world where people judge too quickly and too harshly.
- Rebecca, St. Anselm College

I am a 1973 Graduate of St Anselm. At that time I remember 6 semesters of religion or philosophy courses and a constant questioning of basic Catholic mores. Sure, there may be swings to the left or right, resuming a football team, women's sports programs and coed dorms but the Benedictine monks will not lose sight of their basic mission: restoring, maintaining, or starting a tremendous work ethic for Catholic and non-Catholic students alike.
- Mark, Nashua

Over the years, I've been a teacher and administrator in a few colleges and a member of a several regional and national organizations. Once these groups voted to or were forced to become "inclusive," they rapidly lost their focus, their identity and their members...watered down to the point of extinction. Hope St. A's is not headed down the same path!
- Chuck, Deering

This drive to become more diverse is all backwards. Once there was a time when people wanted to GET INTO the Catholic church & GET INTO a Catholic college because of the church's stance on life, love and faith in God. Now, St. A's is compromising its very foundation and core beliefs so anyone can get in. What next? Become an Episcopalian institution?
- Bud, Deering

To any parents who don't want to send their children here now because of this: Send your kids where you want, but don't expect them to get nearly as good of an education as they would get at St A's. Regardless of whether this school is diverse or not, it is a great Catholic institution with better academics than most colleges in New England.
- Danielle, Massachusetts

As another student at St. Anselm, I would like to respond to some of the comments made here. The acceptance rate at St. Anselm for the 2011 class was 69.3%. Basically, you don't have to be valedictorian of your class to go here, but to remain here is a different story. The chances of St. A's accepting every minority are not good. No school wants to have a high dropout rate, especially a school who has an extremely rigorous curriculum. However, it wouldn't be a bad thing to become more diversified. I have participated in service learning and working with many poverty-stricken kids who are minorities and whites. So, maybe what some of you are saying is that we should shut out all oppurtunities like this. I just dont understand the logic behind that. It has definitely changed my views on diversity, and helped me to realize many things about our community. Becoming more inclusive doesn't necessarily mean accepting more minorities into the college, but communicating with the ones that already go here. I am a Catholic St. A's student and I love the fact that we are trying to become diversified. To parents who don't want to send their children here because of this, fine, send them somewhere else, but the education they get will not come close to the education they could get here
- Beth, Massachusetts

I would hope that admission standards are not relaxed to increase the minority population.

If they are, there goes the high quality education.
- Danny, Manchester

I would like to echo my fellow students comments in this forum. The survey taken of all students and faculty last spring clearly showed a mandate from both sides wanting a more diverse campus. Bob O'Toole '63, makes and excellent point in his editorial. The world is not a box, it is my opinion that Saint A's is taking a refreshing step toward inclusiveness. It is not being forced. It is my opinion the school simply wishes to attract qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds to apply. In order for them to apply, measures need to be taken to make the entire campus more open to difference.
- meghan, bedford

I'm a devote Catholic who graduated with a Masters Degree in Psychology from Notre Dame College. I understand and value diversity and I believe it will benefit all involved. However, I don't think homosexuals need to be in the mix. They clearly have a disordered and unnatural lifestyle. A Catholic College should be praying for them, loving them but not condoning their deviant behaviors.
- Jay, Concord

So according to this author pushing for diversity = "anything goes."

This article and many of the responses to it are the reason I applaud St. Anselm's efforts. If they don't change with the times, they and their students will be left behind and at a great disadvantage in the very diverse real world.
- D, Derry, NH

For a private university such as St. Anselm's, the solution to this problem is easy: those alumni who oppose the new policy (and I'll wager that there are many) simply threaten to withhold any future contributions. This will get the board's attention and induce them to re-evaluate the decision to deviate from the traditional teachings that have long characterized the institution.
- Susie Nickerson, Horseshoe Bay, Texas (NH native)

As an international student at Saint Anselm College I'd like to participate in this debate. First of all, I do hang out with "white students," which is, apparently, the author's definition of non-diverse students. But I also hang out with other international/minority students. I feel privileged to be able to debate with my Muslim friends (I am not myself a Muslim) about Islam, with my catholic/protestant friends about religious vs. non-religious values, with my Republican friends about the fiscal policies, with my international friends about international affairs. I do not believe that reiteration of the same point by all of the Humanities seminar class, brought in an identical background with similar experiences and identical beliefs, makes for a good discussion. I do not believe that studying one point of view on a carefully selected limited list of issues is what liberal arts education is about. In my eyes, liberal arts education is about enthusiastic and open-minded pursuit of truth--scientific, spiritual, academic. Being a senior, I have enjoyed a liberal arts education for over three years and found evaluation of different perspectives invaluable in the pursuit of any truths and students from diverse backgrounds do tend do have diverse perspectives. This is not to say that everyone with "traditional background" has the same beliefs and experiences, but a Vietnamese, an Ecuadorian and a Pakistani bring something to a discussion table, that three students from Mass. don't. I respect and often admire Christian religious, philosophical and scholastic tradition (and I am from a Catholic country myself), but hope it will never be preached and indoctrinated at Saint Anselm College, and will continue to be taught and learned in a context of enthusiastic and open-minded pursuit of truth, that takes into account the variety of beliefs, values and perspectives that humans of different religious beliefs, nationalities, races and socio-economic backgrounds have.
- Oleg, Vilnius, Lithuania

Research indicates that students do tend to cluster in groups based on colour/race/gender identity/culture UNLESS faculty and students make concerted efforts to work toward cross racial relationships. A small school like St Anselm's is a perfect place to put real diversity initiatives into action that will enable students to get to know each other regardless of differences. I applaud St A's for moving toward more 'socially liberal policies'. After all, the Catholic Church has a grand and important tradition of social liberalism.
- Dr Deborah A Sampson, Hancock NH

I cannot believe that Saint Anselm College is giving up what a Catholic College should represent. For what, money and political correctness? Another punch in the eye to the Catholic Faithful. My grandfather used to say "and they'll never have luck." I am sad as I once was a very proud employee of Saint Anselm. Please don't bother sending me literature requesting a donation. I'm sure you'll be saving a lot of postage money now.
- Jane Zingaro, Leesburg, GA

I am a student at St. Anselm College and I love it here. Saint Anselm College is a catholic institution but you are NOT REQUIRED to be catholic to go here! Diversity is a reality. I am glad that my college wants to bring in more minorities because you can learn many things about their culture and beliefs. Last time I checked college was suppose to be a learning experience and we can truly learn from different people from different cultures, backgrounds, and religions. I am a catholic person and I DO NOT see a problem with this.
- Shawna, Auburn, NH

“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5

As a current Saint Anselm student, I can tell you quite honestly that your editorial is a serious misunderstanding of Catholicism, a liberal arts education, the pursuit of truth, preparing students for a globalized society, and the true intent of inclusiveness. First, your measure of diversity is systemically flawed. You assert that diversity ought to mean colleges “remain true to their missions” and “be a beacon for students who want a college that offers a more traditional educational environment and not an indoctrination in modern liberal social theory.” To begin, I would like to know how a more diverse student body is contradictory to the college’s mission? Explain how this college is not remaining true to its mission when it is an institution that encourages students to: “lead lives that are both creative and generous…to engage in the fullest experience of a liberal arts education, to free themselves from the strictures of ignorance, illiteracy and indecision, and to dedicate themselves to an active and enthusiastic pursuit of truth….The college stands open to receive students of every race, national origin, and creed. Indeed, the college seeks to enroll a student body which reflects a variety of racial and cultural backgrounds. As a Catholic, Benedictine institution, Saint Anselm observes and promotes Christian and Catholic standards of value and conduct. The college accepts and retains students on the condition that they respect and observe those standards.” A Catholic institution does not accept diverse students in spite of its ideology, but largely because of it. Moreover, I don’t get how offering a traditional educational environment has anything to do with diversity. What I do understand is that the world is getting increasingly diverse. Deciding to ignore that fact is not an advantage in a globalized world. Furthermore, a traditional education to me means studying figures like Socrates, Locke, Shakespeare, Darwin, Alexander the Great, and many others. Perhaps to you it means segregating ourselves from people who are different? Perhaps to you it means ignoring what students can learn from each other? My experience at Saint Anselm has been greatly enriched by sitting in a circle with diverse peers discussing important texts and concepts. I don’t want to imagine how boring Humanities would be if my classmates and I sat around agreeing with each other. But all of this might miss the question. Inclusiveness is not about accepting poor students or professors because of a race, ethnicity, or “behavioral attribute.” Inclusiveness is about ensuring that people who are different from me feel welcomed; that they do not feel excluded on the basis of a chance occurrence like race. It is not Saint Anselm that has lost its moorings. It is your Newspaper that is lost. Saint Anselm’s moral moorings have never been so secure.
- Matt Fuller, Manchester, NH

I did not realize there were such bigoted people around to this day. I am a student at Saint Anselm and I am glad that the college is trying to include more minorities in its population. I attended a large, catholic, inner city high school which was 1/3 Hispanic, so the insinuation that Catholics must be white is false. Further, what is the problem with being inclusive and accepting? I believe that is a value that should be taught to the students here, and maybe the author of this piece could have used a lesson in acceptance. Finally, if you are going to criticize our school at least get your facts straight. Regarding co-ed dorms, there is 1 traditional dorm on campus that is co-ed, out of around 10. Boys and girls are separated by locked doors on each floor. This school still remains very conservative in most of its rules. The comment above that calls our monks communists is completely ridiculous. Monks choose to live in a community of prayer so that they may become closer to God, how this makes them communists I'm not really sure, I think this person needs a history lesson. If you do not like the way Saint Anselm's leaders are running the college, don't send your children here, but I know I'm getting a great education.
- Jake, Haverhill, MA

Al:

Since you're so obsessed with race:
as my girlfriend is from Brazil, I'd have to say I don't disapprove of mixed-race marriages. Sorry to burst your bubble of outrageous self-conceit.

Now, here's MY challenge to all of you sanctimonious diversity-fans.

If you REALLY believe that skin-deep diversity is good, and that race is still a barrier to achievement, you should be prepared to do the following:

1) March into your boss's office and resign from your job, with the proviso that the position be given to a qualified 'person of color'. (I'll give the you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you work for a living - although many people with your mind-set don't).

2) Tell all your white friends, family members, co-workers and especially any white kids you have that they should be prepared to subordinate their life aspirations, now and always, to accomodate the nation's 'oppressed' minorities.

3) Move to a community more 'reflective of the nation's rich cultural mosiac'.

You're implicitly asking all this of other people, be ready to ask it of yourselves. If you do anything less, you're nothing but a hypocrite.
- Jack, Manchester, NH

Vincent Caruana, Bedford

None of the high qualities you mention are particular to white American people. So what is your point? And none of them is the highest value. The highest value humans own is "truth." Only humans can know truth, and act on it. That's what St Anselm's is doing.

Send your daughter to ORU, or Bob Jones, or Liberty U or some other redneck bigot infested institution of lower learning.
- Mary Smith, Newport

This is ridiculous. Is the Union Leader really presuming to know what's best for a private college which is over 100 years old?

Are citizens and potential students seriously upset by this issue? It seems as if there are two camps: the bigots upset that St. A's is trying to look at being more inclusive, and the liberals who assume they know better than college officals.

St. A's offers a world-class education. Diversity is a side note. How sad that the Union Leader seems to have blundered upon an issue which brings out the worst in some people.
- Sam, Manchester

All I have to say, is would we still be getting negative feedback if our community was all African American or Hispanic? I highly doubt it in our age of political correctness.
- Alexandra, Methuen, Ma

As a student at Saint Anselm College, I find this editorial to be not only condescending, but insulting. I fail to see how accepting people of other races and backgrounds makes our institution no longer Catholic. Since when has being white, straight and middle-class a requirement for being Catholic? The author also cites the lack of interaction between minorities and whites at Southern universities as if it were a model to follow and not something that should be rejected. Also, I find it very hard to believe that "white and straight" students will be marginalized by these endeavors to open our college to all peoples, especially when one realizes that it has been people of other races and creeds who have been marginalized throughout the years. Catholicism is essentially about Christ, and Christ came not for the well-off and the slef-righteous, but those who had been marginalized by society. These new endeavors to encourage our students and faculty to embrace people from all walks of life is actually far more Catholic than sentiments supporting "values" that are fifty years out of date.
- Shannon O'Hearn, Revere, MA

This as well as the comments that follow are sadly disappointing,

I am a student at Saint Anselm college

and I know better than any of you what we need here on this campus. We need diversity, in a white catholic dominated school we receive a biased and skewed view of how the world works. I chose saint a's because of it's academic integrity, but wish that there was more of a diverse student and staff population. My English teacher is Indian and our class is learning much more than English, we are learning acceptance of other people and their cultures and religion as Catholics, why would you not want that for your children? also do you really want graduates to come out of this place with a false view of life and community? the real world, especially Manchester itself holds a diverse population and diverse interests, you are doing a disservice to your children if you send them to a school where they will be educated solely on what you want them to know , how you want them to learn. Benedictine tradition holds acceptance of all people, Saint A's does not require students to attend any religious event, why should they? If you don't agree with the college, well its really not your problem or your business anyways we are a private institution and frankly I would prefer that people that agree with this piece stay off of our campus.
- paige Eldridge, manchester NH

This is disturbing. goes back to how the world aims to so politically correct
- Alexandra, Methuen, Ma

Since when is it Catholic or Christian to *not* want to teach students from any background? The article doesn't state if this is the result of trying to pull in more economically underprivileged students, or based on race alone. If it's the former, then it seems to go right along with church teachings of charity to me.

Is it moral to stop your children from applying because the school is admitting more students of other races? I simply don't understand the venom here.
- Jen, Salem

What if a Jewish father only wanted his daughter marrying a Jewish man? Or an Italian father preferring Italian grandchildren? Or a father from India? The wonderful "progressive" people (who, as I learned in this comment section, not are not only morally and culturally superior to us simple-minded folk, but significantly more intelligent as well) would not be horrified by a father's wishes in the context above. I don't care what color my daughter's children are, and even if I did, it would have no bearing on my feelings towards a college's admissions guidelines. My point- enjoy patting yourself on the back for that mind-blowing "test of racism", but quit discriminating against white people!
- NC, Concord

Lets throw everything out the window. Patriotism, family values, religious moral foundation,, cultural pride, traditional marriage, American work ethic, self reliance are all on the scrap heap if the secular progessive movement continues to drive the cultural agenda. My daughter is a senior at Bishop Brady High School in Concord, who was interested in St. Anselm. I will make sure that she doesn't place an application. I might as well save the money and send her to one of the leftist state schools.
We now have Obamanation, Shaheen in the senate and gutless watered down Christian leadership. This is becoming a wonderful state to live in. Proud to be an American, Roman Catholic, NH citizen. Lets continue to make NH and the rest of the country a society without honor, self sacrafice and values.
I am throughly disgusted with St. Anselm. What's next a cirriculum focused on aborotion rights? Let them perish in the moral decay along with the rest on the secular progressive pigs. My family and I will continue to support, live and fight for conservative American, Christian values despite the poltical and cultural decline that pervades this country at this time.
- Vincent Caruana, Bedford

Since St. Anselm is a private college, why does the Union Leader care about what they deem important and are willing to pay for?
- Bertha Fox-Dominguez, Bedford

There is one major issue Saint Anselm has not addressed in the area of diversity and that is economic diversity. It is great that they are concerned about racial diversity, but notice their silence on economics. Sure they offer scholarships, in fact I never would have been able to attend without one, but where is the push for economic diversity. Diversity is just as much about getting the poor kid as the traditional minorities. Dare I say at Saint Anselm that at Saint Anselm poor kids are underepresented?

Also, if Saint Anselm wishes to pursue this route they should atleast reach out to the Catholic minority communities in a special way. Why not endow scholarships for poor inner city Catholic kids from St.Anne/St. Augustine in Manchester.

There are seemingly two types of criticisims on this new policy; those from crackpots and racists who oppose the policy out of bigotry towards people different from themselves, and those of us who see people of all background as equal, no matter what race or background, but who think this new policy is a bad idea for the college we love (and attended).

In this discussion please don't confuse the two groups. I think most who are concerned with the new policy are concerned about what is driving the college. If it is the pursuit for truth and justice than so be it, I am in full support. If it is an attempt to appeal to popular culture, make the folks in admissions happy then forget it.

Saint A's has always been a beacon of truth and hope on the hill. It has always stood proudly and rightly so. But let the pressure that moves its heart be centered on faith and not popularity.

-Kristian
- Kristian, Goffstown

This editorial and some of the comments that follow, are simply embarrassing. I can't believe that I live amongst neighbors who react like this.
Whites and minorities don't hang out much so therefore they shouldn't allow minorities in? Really?
We have one reader who isn't giving money to his family's alma mater anymore because they're letting in more minorities? Really?
One reader thinks that all minorities are lazy...and her "refreshing" ideas are praised by another reader? Really?
These are my neighbors? Perhaps I'm naive here, but I thought my hometown was a little better than this.
- Breyer S., Manchester, NH

A person does not have to be racist to disapprove of affirmative action. I would have no problem with my child dating/ marrying someone of another race. However, I do not want to see my child excluded from a college because he or she is white, while a less qualified minority is admitted.

Exactly how does diversifying a school prepare a student for the real world? I went to a school with barely any diversity, and yet I am able to fraternize and work with minorities. Shocking!!

And of course, anyone who thinks that students should be allowed into a university based solely on merit and not on race must be a racist. Why should who a person would allow his or her child to marry even be an issue? Jack has it right on the nose. In lieu of actual intelligent arguments, many people choose instead to throw out the race card.
- Kelly, Manchester

Jack, Manchester

The casual bigots here deserve to be spoken up to, to not would be irresponsible. One the one hand there are the posters in a rush to left alone in their bigotry, and on the other those who want them to change. Seems altruistic to me. Not bullying.

So how about you? Would you mind a flock of mixed race grandchildren? Oh boy - run to get your gun on that one! Sore spot! Whoops!
- Al Thortsen, Manchester

Instead of focusing on skin color why not work on opening doors to those of lesser financial backgrounds? I took classes at St A's awhile ago (paying my own way working two jobs while going to school) and found myself surrounded in almost every classroom with many spoiled rich kids living off of their parent's money. The majority of the world's population regardless of skin color and religious background were not born with a silver spoon in their hand. While life is made up of those who have and those who have not; it's been my experience that those who have are the ones who are less open minded and welcoming of any kind of diversity.

The college application process should, like others have mentioned, by name/race/sex/religious preferences blind. Not until the college has sent an acceptance letter to an applicant should they found out who that person is, let extra curricular activities, academic records, and the essays speak for themselves without having any cover to judge them by. I think admission offices would be surprised by the student body they admit - and it would only be improving the campus and the students on it.
- Rose, Manchester

As I see it, the only diversity that really matters is ideological diversity: differences of opinion. Many "diversity" proponents reflexively assume that people who look alike will think alike, and people who look differently will think differently. (How that doesn't qualify as a form of bigotry is a mystery to me.)

I get a kick out the baseless ad hominem attacks of "racist' posted by some people who can't make legitimate arguments based on facts and logic.

Tom and Victor in particular: your comments add nothing of value to this debate, you're merely trying to bully and guilt-trip people into thinking the way you want them to. The fact that someone like Barack Obama, whose resume is probably the thinnest in Presidential history, can be elected President is proof that race is no longer a meaningful barrier to achievement in this country. That's reason enough not to demand skin-deep diversity at universities for its own sake, and the lowered admission standards that it always seems to entail.

I'd also like to point out that there many "historically black" colleges in this country. Do all you diversity fans hector their administrations to be more 'inclusive'?

Yeah, I didn't think so.
- Jack, Manchester

I notice the silence here.

Silence on the racial intermarriage concept is a tacit admission of deeply seated racial bigotry. Election of a mixed race president does not flush out old ways. That would be waaaay too easy!

Let's see ONE UL hardcore prove his lack of bias and say, "I have no problem with my white daughter marrying a black man, and I am still opposed to St As being diversified."

I expect to be ignored on this, proving my point.
- Mary Coates, Portsmouth

The ultimate solution to diversity is enough intermarriage to mix races enough so that they disappear. That's not hard to figure out.
- Carrie, Pembroke

The solution to "diversity" is simple As a parent of children in college and experiencing the reverse discrimination here is a thought Why can't all colleges NOT put a face, race, or age to applicants All applications given a code or number and then everyone is on an equal playing field and all acceptances are based on the same criteria. Once applications are reviewed and decisions made to accept or not then match with the person. it is that SIMPLE
- joan, auburn

Inclusiveness, What was the previous mandate? Exclusion.
I work for a college and colleges are not in the real world and the people who create mandates for these institutions are always politically correct.
If they want to mandate a program for all students why don't they require a Personal Financial Planning Course.
Maybe then, at least, college graduates would be able to figure out their mortgage.
- Jim G, Auburn, NH

Mike P., Manchester

Your ramblings are quite confused, you are all over the road on ideas like diversity, you show you have no idea what progressive means as far as I can read, but as you say you lack college, so there you go. Having attended fine NH Catholic schools, I learned to write clearly in High School.

So tell me, how do you respond to the racial bigot test suggested by Carolyn Elser of Goffstown? It's a good one!

To extend your concepts; we don't need any more forced diversity - if our grandchildren are mixed race!
- Lowell Ames, Nashua

Ed Mack, Smithfield, RI

You are amusing! Benedictine monks live communally, they are effectively communists!
- Al White, Northwood

The gold standard test for racial bigotry is: Do you mind if your daughter's boyfriend is a Black man? She's sleeping with a Black man, do you mind? (Don't even bother me with the no sex before marriage bs.) Your grandkids will be mixed race, do you mind?

Do you? If you do, you need help upstairs.

When nobody minds then we can not worry about race based bigotry. I don't think we are there yet!
- Carolyn Elser, Goffstown

Jess, thanks for your comment. It is a ray of light, in the dark jungle of multi-culturalism.
While never having the 'pleasure' of attending an institution of higher (re?)education, I have freinds who have. As I understand it, their expierience was very similar to yours. I guess they are just part of the "semi-ignorant, semi-bigoted, DENSE...strange, strange" crowd.

I find it fascinating that the some of the same people who tell us that "diversity" is good and we should be open to all manner of ideas, from all manner of cultures, draw the inclusiveness line at the point that their "progressive" ideas are challenged. Then the diverse ideas suddenly become bigoted, ignorant, and strange.
Diversity is great, just so long as it's not too diverse. Isn't that right, Tom Labrie?
Tom, an "open mind" is not synonomous with a mind that will accept whatever is the popular flavor of the month. One can have an open, yet discerning mind. You should try it on occasion.
- Mike P., Manchester

Some of my family members are alumni of St. Anselm College. I chose not to attend for a myriad of reasons - primarily the push to shove whites aside in the name of "feel-good" politics by St. Anselm staff. Doubling minority enrollment in the name of diversity and multi-culturalism is the problem. This negates the need for hard work substituted for skin color and sexual preference. This do-gooder liberal ideological mindset is the problem with society and liberals alike - giving away everything in the concept of quixotic feelings. Maybe St. Anselm College should think about doubling the enrollment of whites and other Europeans in the name of diversity - seeing how whites are being subjugated to reverse discrimination by the school. Needless to say, St. Anselm College has been written off by my entire family and will neveer receive another penny from our families again.
- Steve, Bedford

This has to stand as one of the most ignorant and bigoted references ever printed in this screed: "Extensive experience on Southern campuses has shown that, in fact, minority students rarely socialize with white students, and vice versa." What pray tell is the meaning of that? Bigots, white or otherwise in Texas & Alabama stay to themselves so we should too? I don't think we need to look to the South for ANYTHING but hot air out of the Gulf of Mexico.

This is the bottom line for NH Whitey: If your college age daughter told you she was becoming engaged to a Black or Hispanic minority student, how would you feel?

If you have the slightest negative reaction, that's all the argument St A's needs to carry on with diversification. If you don't then there's no harm in it anyway.

And to the rest of the world who may be reading this: the posters here on the UL tend to be the less enlightened of NH citizens, please don't judge NH by bottom feeders the UL attracts like flies to cow droppings! Progressive NH people wind up scraping these folks off of the bottoms of our shoes all week as we read this paper.
- Victor Lorraine, Manchester

As a Hilltop graduate, I have strong feelings about and for the college. I have one daughter there now about to graduate and another about to enter.
My daughters, wife and I chose the school for its strong liberal arts education in the Benedictine traditioni - with Catholic values.
While diversity is a desired concept, it should not be sought at the expense of the thing that make St. Anselm one of the perennially best liberal liberal arts colleges in America. "Stylishness" is not a substitute or compelling policy when considered against other time-tested principles such as merit, academic integrity and imparting or reinforcing catholic values to its students.
Saint Anselm College is a private, catholic school - not a madrassah. We start down a slippery slope when we consider statistical benchmarks over these other principles.

Jim Gaudet '83
- Jim Gaudet, Manchester NH

Well if one reads down these semi-ignorant, semi-bigoted, DENSE posts, one can see exactly why St Anselm would want to broaden it's enrollment. To prevent it's students from becoming like these strange strange people posting here (excepting the two or three people with their open minds.)
- Tom Labrie, Rochester

Diversity and inclusiveness? Are you serious? As clearly indicated, the school is significantly more diverse than the state in which it resides. Why is this nation even talking about diverity any longer? Look who just got elected to our nation's highest office! "Diversity" and "affirmative action" should be relegated to our history books. They've succeeded, now let's pick up the pieces of our shattered economy and repair this once great nation.
- Bob, Nashua

How may Catholic students with perfect grades will be turned away in favor of black Muslims with so-so grades.

What's next, an abortion clinic in the nursing department?

We have enough Communist infested colleges. St. Anselm should adhere to Catholic doctrine.
- Ed Mack, Smithfield, RI

As usual The Union Leader has it all wrong. Saint Anselm College should be congratulated for initiating a program which will, in the future, broaden the educational experience of it's students. Addtionally, if the campus looks more like America, graduates will not have culture shock when they enter the workforce. Our country is culturally rich because of the diversity of our people. Saint Anselm College should look like America.

Bob O'Toole '63
- Robert M O'Toole, Woodbridge

Even though I did not go there and am not Catholic, I always admired everyone I ever met that did graduate from "St. A's". They always had an open forum for ideas from all sides and that is why it has always been a focus for political discussion. I am saddened that some people still think in terms of artificial groups rather than individuals. What a wonderful dream it was indeed when we "...will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Too bad it is still only a dream...
- Gary Hoffman, Bedford, NH

Sadly, "diversity" usually stops at skin tone and thnic backround, prehaps religion, as long as its not judeao-christrian. Real diversity includes ideas, and that type of diversity is usually fought tooth and nail by the diversity advocates. I hope St. A's realizes the folly of a typical shallow diversity approach and returns to its roots.
- jeff, goffstown

As it degenerates into a "cool school", it needs to drop the "St." from its name.
- Pamela, Washington

Having attended a college with minorities, I can tell you that they rarely socialized with anyone but themselves. In fact, when I had to take a mandated "Cultural Diversity" class, this was often a shouting match in which the minorities strongly felt they were 'owed' something. Most of them were academically unprepared for college, yet somehow managed to get through the admissions process! Not only were standards lowered for them to get in, they were also provided with special lowered or free tuition, room and board and EOP scholarships, grants, etc. so that they didn't even have to work while attending! All of them had special one-on-one support and tutoring through a particular group only open to minorities. Many of them still managed to fail or do shoddy work (trust me, I had several of these minorities in group projects - when the teams were assigned - and these were some of the laziest, unprepared students I ever encountered. Again the "owe" factor came into place, as they assumed that they could have all team members do their work. If they did any work, it was often of poor quality and could not be used). Forcing "inclusiveness" will harm St. Anselm. Admit students that have worked hard in high school and have proved and earned their worth, regardless of skin color or race. Doing otherwise, will only lower your school's quality and result in 'reverse discrimination'.
- Jess, Plymouth, NH

You need to think outside of the box a little more. St A's is not a New Hampshire state institution. I is a private college that is trying to appeal to students regionally as well as nationally. When shopping for liberal arts schools, students often look for that diversity. As for ignoring Catholic doctrine, the church's founder would likely want to be more inclusive as well.
- tom, bedford