At General Motors, the commitment to diversity is much more than a human issue: it also makes good business sense. And with annual revenues of more than $135 billion, there is a lot of business at stake. GM describes managing diversity as "the process of creating and maintaining an environment that naturally enables employees, suppliers, dealers, and communities to fully contribute in pursuit of total customer satisfaction. Diversity transcends race and gender, including factors like family status, military service, ethnicity, religious beliefs, education, age, and physical abilities. The challenge is to create a culture that will allow GM to win in the global marketplace."

The Department of Student Affairs at Bluefield State College has the same vision for diversity management as does General Motors. Because we know we are preparing students to enter a global market place, we must ensure that, as is the case at GM. "They are fully motivated, excited about what they do, committed to the company they work for." In order for this to happen, they need to be acknowledged; they need to be respected; they need to be trusted. These are just fundamental human values. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

In education, as in the manufacturing industry and as in this nation, our diversity is our strength. This diversity is more than merely part of our heritage; it is part of our pride. Having people of different ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds, including people with disabilities, in our college does not slow our pursuit of excellence- - it accelerates it.

Diversity does not mean just having differing kinds of groups around, or counting numbers. It means equal access and equal understanding in all that each person does. It means sharing the access and the power to make decisions and to utilize all that is available for the education process. It means giving every student the opportunity to learn about and with someone of a different culture.

The Department of Student Affairs at BSC is committed to allowing every individual to have the opportunity of fairness on our campus, and of preparing to live as an equal participant in the global economy of the future.