What is Student Diversity

Student Diversity at YSU

Current research suggests that among institutions in the north east region of Ohio and western Pennsylvania , Youngstown State University clearly is one of the most diverse campuses. This assertion is supported by observations made by Donavan Beidelschies' work on Student Affairs Theory . Here this theorist asserts the following:

• When considering Chickering, students at YSU are more likely to have differences in levels of independence.

• Students at YSU are more likely to have appreciations for human differences .

• Students at YSU are more likely to have a head start on establishing identity as compared to students from similar universities (e.g., Kent State University, Slippery Rock University, or Duquesne University—all universities with a significantly higher ratio of residential students versus commuting students).

• Students at YSU are more likely to be from the local community than not.

• Students at YSU are more likely to hold full time or part-time jobs while enrolled .

• Students at YSU are more likely to stay in school longer because they balance work and schooling.

• Students at YSU are more likely to take longer to graduate because of work and home related responsibilities.

• Students at YSU are more likely to have intermittent enrollment or part-time student status based upon the availability of funding to stay in school.

• Students at YSU are more likely to be classified as non-traditional as students may be retooling after years of employment.

• The classification of a student as non-traditional does not imply any age, gender, culture, or socio-economic stereotypes, however—only an assumption that a student has more roles and responsibilities than an 18-22 year old first time college student who lives on campus .

• Students at YSU are more likely to have an increased emotional independence .

• Students at YSU are more likely to have self-direction, problem-solving skills, and mobility (instrumental independence) . Students at YSU are more likely to be competence in these areas due to the higher tendency for them to have jobs and be responsible for many tasks at once, such as being on time for work, successfully completing class work, and supporting themselves financially.

• Students at YSU are more likely to have developed decision making skills and a skill for prioritization which enable them to fulfill the requirements in the aforementioned statement.

• Students at YSU are more likely to understand and embrace the appreciation for help and understanding the importance of positive relationships with others .

• Students at YSU are more likely to exhibit a struggle for independence from their parents.

• Students at YSU are more accustom than not to demonstrating multi-tasking, self-reliant, and financially self-supportive behaviors .

• Students at YSU are more likely to have accepted their adult role in life and feel capable of making their own decisions .

• Students at YSU are more likely to embrace interpersonal and intercultural tolerance and engage new people and experiences .

• Students at YSU represent a fair population of social-economically and culturally diverse peoples .

• Students at YSU are more likely to have relationships—working or social—with a variety of people.

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Found in the Masters Comprehensive Examination of Donavan Beidelschies July 2004. The document is unpublished and can be located in the College of Education Counseling Office on the 4 th floor of Beeghly College of Education. The examinations were under the direction of Dr. Martin.

Found in the Masters Comprehensive Examination of Donavan Beidelschies July 2004. The document is unpublished and can be located in the College of Education Counseling Office on the 4 th floor of Beeghly College of Education. The examinations were under the direction of Dr. Martin