Brown's effort to diversify the student body should be about more than just race, religion and ethnicity. It should emphasize finding students with as varied life experiences as possible. This holistic diversity will foster the formation of more rounded, inclusive classes and more fully reflect American society. According to The Herald, President Ruth Simmons sent 11,000 letters encouraging prospective minority applicants to apply last year. We applaud this effort to increase minority applicants and recommend that similar engagement be made with prospective veteran applicants.
The millions of current and former members of the armed forces are strikingly underrepresented on campus. Just six of the more than 6,000 undergraduates are veterans. Brown should increase its efforts to recruit veterans. (There are more than 300,000 veterans and veterans' dependents enrolled in institutions of higher education, according to the New York Times). We have previously registered our concern about Brown's isolation from the military, which is disproportionately poor and southern. Increasing veterans' enrollment will help to bridge this divide.
Veterans' contribution to the campus community is obvious. Their perspectives offer classmates and professors valuable insight into the unique experience of serving in the military. Undoubtedly, a discussion on the impact of the Iraq War on civilian populations would be enriched by the insights of a student who has served in Fallujah. A public lecture critical of drone airstrikes in the Afghanistan-Pakistan tribal region would benefit from a veterans' experience coming under fire from Pakistan. David Salsone '12.5 previously told The Herald, "We, as veterans, add to classroom discussion. We bring a different perspective." Veterans have frankly seen and done far more than many undergraduates, some of whom are just 17 years old. As our community reflects on our relationship with the Department of Defense and Reserve Officer Training Corps, as we learn about our country's military history and our current involvements around the world, it is vital that we increase military perspectives on campus to add to these academic and intellectual conversations.
Increasing veterans' recruitment will also serve other diversity objectives. Service members often come from socioeconomic backgrounds less advantaged than those of typical Brown students.
Currently, Brown lacks an effective program to recruit veterans. Besides a sparse webpage, Brown does little to attract veteran applicants. Chaney Harrison '11.5 said, "Brown is simply not doing a good job of attracting student veterans." Other schools, most prominently Columbia, do much more.
Columbia, which has 210 veterans enrolled, specifically recruits veterans. According to the New York Times, it targets veterans, both active-duty and students, even sending admissions officers to military bases. Though Columbia is a special case — its school of general studies is specifically designed for non-traditional students — its recognition of the importance of veterans on campus, and its success in attracting them, speaks to the potential for Brown to substantially increase the number of veterans enrolled.
Editorials are written by The Herald's editorial page board. Send comments to editorials@browndailyherald.com.
