And Diversity for All

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Plymouth State Junior, Karen Munz, has a plan for the University that she “hopes is just a start” to making a more educated and diverse campus.As Vice President of ALSO (Alternative Lifestyle Support Organization), Munz has seen the need for more centrally located support and information available to students. In her experience, Munz says, she finds that “people don’t think they matter and they need to know that they aren’t alone.”Munz has been part of a discussion panel that goes to schools and classes sharing their “coming-out” stories and answering questions. She finds herself constantly learning from the questions, and is amazed at the amount of diversity within their group. For most, the process of coming-out as a homosexual is a “heart-wrenching experience” that might be a little easier if people had a place to go for guidance and support.As part of Munz’s ongoing research, she has been interviewing students, faculty, and staff here at Plymouth State to get a feel for their thoughts about a more public office for ALSO. Out of 362 people who have taken the survey, 266 answered yes; they feel that a group like ALSO could better provide for the PSU student body if it were located in a convenient and public area such as the Hartman Union Building.Munz’s proposal is for a diversity center located in the most central place on campus, the HUB. The basic idea calls for an alliance between multiple groups here on campus that would provide information, support, and someone to talk to. By bringing together a variety of support from groups like ALSO, AWARE (Alliance for Women’s Rights and Equality), WSGR (Women’s Services and Gender Resources), Multicultural Society, and Campus Ministries, Munz says, students could feel comfortable and get the information they need. Her goal is to “educate diversity and acceptance,” which she adds, “can’t be done hiding out in an office.” While this remains a proposal for the time being, Munz plans on bringing it to the top. She hopes that someday her ideas will bring about a change and her dream of a diversity center will come true.