By conventional measures, Occidental is one of the most diverse colleges in the United States. Our student body, faculty, and staff represent a broad spectrum of races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs.

But that's just the starting point for a conversation—sometimes intense, always thought-provoking—that has helped shape the Oxy community in fundamental ways. Can—should—diversity be measured by numbers alone? Is Oxy diverse? It depends on who you ask.

As a school where critical thinking is ingrained in the curriculum, we don't always agree on everything. But the culture of open discussion on campus pushes the conversation forward, whether it's an easy one or not.

From academic initiatives such as the Intergroup Dialogue Program to the many awareness initiatives promoted by the Intercultural Affairs office and a thriving network of student clubs and multicultural living communities, Oxy is a place for nuanced, sophisticated discussions about our differences, our similarities, and where we should go from here.