Study: Minorities feel marginalized at MSU

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Although most students feel welcome at Missouri State University in Springfield, about 45 percent of minority students and employees feel they have been treated differently because of their race or ethnicity, according to a new study.

The university is promising changes to increase diversity and inclusion in response to the Campus and Community Climate Study, which was released Thursday.

"These findings are the reason why diversity and inclusion continue to be a priority at our university," president Clif Smart said. "We want to do better. We want all of our students, faculty and our staff to feel equally welcome and included in our university community no matter their color, ethnicity, religion, gender or gender identity, disability status or politics."

About 3,160 people were surveyed in the two-year study, which included interviews and focus and discussion groups. Missouri State will have a committee study the report -- a similar study was conducted in 2008 -- and urge changes in curriculum, training, recruitment and campus events and activities.

"The results of this study make two things clear," Smart said. "First, we have made progress in the last five years. Second, we still have lots of work to do."

Smart said people who don't feel included are less likely to apply for admission or employment, stay on campus, engage in campus life or graduate on time.

Ken Coopwood, vice president for diversity and inclusion, said the study will give the school a starting point to measure progress.

Matt Morrow, president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, said the report helps ongoing community conversations about improving diversity in Springfield. He said the university's effort to recruit, train and retain diversity leaders will benefit an employment pipeline for the city.

"A healthy, constructive, diverse population on our university campus only strengthens that pipeline," he said.