A student advisory committee for diversity recruitment is being formed by Chancellor Sheri N. Everts in hopes to increase the diversity rates at Appalachian State University.

Everts said the committee, made up of 12 to 15 student leaders, will work with her to help recruit more diverse students to the university. The expectation is for the committee to be formed by the end of October.

“The student leaders will represent the various multicultural student organizations, as well as several members at large,” Everts said. “Members will be chosen based upon their leadership in the multicultural student organizations, as well as their previously expressed interest in serving the university in this capacity.”

According to www.forbes.com, 87 percent of Appalachian’s students are white. Additionally, 4 percent of students are of Hispanic descent, 3 percent are African American, 2 percent are ethnically unknown, another 2 percent are two or more races, 1 percent is non-resident aliens and the remaining 1 percent is Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander.

Everts said to accomplish the goal of a more diverse enrollment, a welcoming environment that values acceptance and understanding must be created for all students.

“The purpose of creating the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Committee for Diversity Recruitment is to create an opportunity for students to share their experiences, create suggestions for recruitment and retention activities and actively recruit diverse students to Appalachian,” Everts said. “Appalachian’s vision states that we will shape students into ‘engaged, responsible global citizens’ and our mission states that we will ‘develop individuals who are eager to embrace diversity and difference, and to become contributing members of society.’”

While Everts said she believes the university’s environment is inclusive to all, she also believes that improvements can be made.

“I believe that we have a welcoming environment at Appalachian, but I have listened to our students and have learned that we can do better,” Everts said. “As our racially diverse student enrollment is only 12.6 percent of our total student body, I know that we can do better in enrolling more diverse students at Appalachian.”

Everts said the recruitment of a more diverse student body would not affect the admissions process.

Story: Nicole Caporaso, Senior News Reporter