Diversity at Lehigh

Colleges and Universities A-Z Lehigh University
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<p>While hudsonvalley51 (<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/597090-black-parents-i-wrong-about-lehigh-u-12.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/597090-black-parents-i-wrong-about-lehigh-u-12.html&lt;/a> post #157) compiles his/her list, I found some data that might serve as a baseline for monitoring recent changes. A couple of years ago interesteddad posted the data regarding populations of students of color at leading schools in the year 2000. Lehigh in 2000 scored very low in this regard.</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/post3185954%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/post3185954&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/post3185882%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/post3185882&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Because it appears that Lehigh is anomalously low in minority student representation for a college of its ranking, I have become perplexed. Similar institutions (size, location, resources, mission) have achieved more.</p>

<p>For those who are parents of those attending Lehigh, I am curious about your opinions regarding the value of diversity in an undergraduate education. To the first approximation I think your opinions would correlate with the opinions of the students there.</p>

<p>Is diversity worthy of significant institutional change, important to strive for (preferential scholarships, preferential recruitment, etc.) or is it irrelevant or just nice-to-have? Would you object to or support (in the form of donations) initiatives in the direction of increasing diversity</p>

<p>The Lehigh of tomorrow may or may not be different than it is today. For prospective students an overnight would provide some information, but being alert to issues of concern and “objectively” appraising these situations would make the decisions of prospective students. If the parents do not care or would not actively support change, I suspect their children would think similarly (to the first approximation) and institutional change will be a long way off.</p>

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<p>Links don't work for me....</p>

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<p>My post appeared on a different thread (<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/597090-black-parents-i-wrong-about-lehigh-u.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/597090-black-parents-i-wrong-about-lehigh-u.html&lt;/a&gt;) and someone suggested that there might be more response here.</p>

<p>I hope these links work.</p>

<p>interesteddad first: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/260920-rejected-applicant-alleges-bias-against-asians-20.html?highlight=bucknell#post3185954%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/260920-rejected-applicant-alleges-bias-against-asians-20.html?highlight=bucknell#post3185954&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>interesteddad second: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/260920-rejected-applicant-alleges-bias-against-asians-20.html?highlight=bucknell#post3185882%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/260920-rejected-applicant-alleges-bias-against-asians-20.html?highlight=bucknell#post3185882&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>In another thread dr. mom pointed out that the Class of 2012 is substantially more diverse than other classes.
<a href="http://www3.lehigh.edu/pdf/admissions/LUadmissions_class_summary.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www3.lehigh.edu/pdf/admissions/LUadmissions_class_summary.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The class is 22% students of color and >5% international.</p>

<p>The Class of 2012 ethnic breakdown is even more impressive when the data presented for the school as a whole is considered:
Lehigh University :: Admissions: Lehigh Profile: Students</p>

<p>In the pie chart, it shows Lehigh's minority representation as 13% and international at 3%.</p>

<p>Clearly the admissions committee has recruited a class that is substantially different than those that preceded it. My hope is that this trend continues and that the resultant diversity makes Lehigh a more vibrant and harmonious place.</p>

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<p>I have to learn how to post links.</p>

<p>Current student breakdown:
Lehigh</a> University :: Admissions: Lehigh Profile: Students</p>

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<p>I am very interested in Lehigh at the moment but I have read on these blogs, that racism is a big problem at Lehigh. What should I expect as a Hispanic student at Lehigh?</p>