The College Fix

Members say more work needs to be done

Diversity numbers that were higher than the student body’s weren’t enough for American University’s student government.

The student government plans to increase its diversity despite more than half of its members being students of color and mixed race, The Eagle Online reported.

The director of diversity, equity and inclusion conducted the first digital survey to determine the diversity of the student government, and the results were published in May:

The survey revealed that of the 97 members who answered the survey, 51 percent of SG members are people of color or mixed race, compared to the 34 percent of the AU student body who identify as people of color. The survey also found that the majority of SG members are in the School of Public Affairs.

However, when it comes to international students, SG does not reflect the wider demographics of AU. International students make up 11 percent of AU students, but only 2.25 percent of SG.

The survey also showed that members of the LGBT community were not involved enough in the student government.

The student government’s vice president blamed “multiple factors involved in why SG might not attract students with diverse identities, including its history as a predominantly white institution and the major time commitment required to be a member.”

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