Fuqua Students Sponsor Diversity Discussion
MBA Association plans to sponsor additional events to foster openness

By Jeannine Neagle

Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004 -- Reacting to a controversial column published by Duke’s student paper in October, the Fuqua School of Business’ MBA Association (MBAA) held a discussion Wednesday night to address the issues of diversity and sensitivity on campus.

The column, by senior Philip Kurian, was published in the Oct. 18 edition of The Chronicle. In the column, Kurian criticized how Jewish people responded to the Palestine Solidarity Movement conference, held at Duke in October. In response to the column, President Richard H. Brodhead wrote a letter to The Chronicle, saying he was “deeply troubled” that it had “revived stereotypical images that have played a long-running role in the history of anti-Semitism.”

At Wednesday’s discussion, some in the audience of more than 30 criticized the university administration’s response to the column and called for improved campus policies.

“I thought the university’s response was poor and the Anti-Defamation League presented a much clearer, stronger message,” said Amy Murnick, a Fuqua student. She said the incident made her much more aware of being a minority on campus.  “I started to wonder, what do people think? I’m Jewish.” 

Some students were upset by the lack of response from leaders at Fuqua.

Betsy Lazzara, president of the Fuqua student body, said the MBAA decided not to issue a formal statement condemning the column because a single statement could not accurately represent the opinions of all its 800 students.

“This (discussion) is a way to channel our energy and learn from it, rather than foster negativity,” Lazzara said of Wednesday’s dialogue. “This is an open place where every person here is respected.”

The discussion did not focus on specific sections in the column, but the larger issue of cultural sensitivity on campus.

“It illustrates the limits of our school. Where this is a great teaching opportunity, there is no mechanism to deal with the issue,” said second-year Fuqua student Kevin Scotto. “We have all the resources here…what are some of the tangible things we can do to go forward?”

Students suggested promoting more classroom discussion by more effectively integrating diversity issues into the curriculum. Ideas were introduced, such as conducting informal presentations after class to educate peers on important cultural events or writing sensitive questions on anonymous postcards to spur discussion.

The MBAA plans to hold additional forums so discussions of diversity will continue.

Also, several Fuqua student groups wrote a column in the Nov. 19 edition of The Chronicle, condemning “any expressions perceived as racism or prejudice” and calling on Duke administrators “to join us and respond accordingly by condemning such notions in an unequivocal and clear fashion.”