Cornell is moving beyond Ezra Cornell's vision of "any person, any study" and toward the goal of "every person in every study," where all students are skilled in talking and interacting across differences, said A.T. Miller, associate vice provost for academic diversity initiatives, speaking at a panel discussion, "Varied Voices: Diversity and Access," Oct. 21 in the Statler Beck Center during Trustee-Council Weekend.

Miller and three other recently hired leaders in diversity described how their offices are providing structure and support to Cornell's increasingly diverse student population; they also each discussed to what extent they think students of diverse backgrounds interact across their differences rather than surrounding themselves primarily with those they have the most in common.

For example, Lee H. Melvin, associate vice provost for enrollment, noted that in real numbers, Cornell is attracting more diversity, citing significant increases in applications from black, Native American and Hispanic students since 2003. But the real story, he said, is in the nearly 200 percent increase in multicultural applicants: Students are already coming from backgrounds in which differences are bridged, he said.

Renee T. Alexander '74, associate dean of students and director of intercultural programs, described the quiet, organic movement of student leaders and organizations in breaking down barriers and developing programs and activities that reach across differences. White as well as students of color are deeply engaged in this movement, she said.

She and Miller also pointed to the peer-facilitated course they are developing to help students become more skilled in interacting across differences. In the course, students will explore the varied facets of their different backgrounds in small groups as well as complete an action-oriented project. Miller said that businesses and graduate schools are demanding that the students they seek have the skills to thrive in a global society and that the students coming to Cornell expect to gain those skills. "Knowledge brings the unfamiliar home," he said.

Both he and Alexander believe that the new spaces their offices occupy -- Miller's in the Computing and Communications Center and Alexander's at 626 Thurston Ave., home of five student groups representing aspects of diversity -- will further promote that communication and interaction.

Sheri R. Notaro, associate dean for inclusion and professional development at the Graduate School, said her office is striving to provide access, funding and support to graduate students. She also pointed to partnerships and coordination among the four panelists and their offices as a further strength in working across differences, noting, for example, that the Graduate School will partner with the Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives to develop mentorships between graduate and undergraduate students.