A university committee is discussing the addition of diversity sessions to the Academic Orientation Program, or AOP.

After hearing concerns from the Black Student Alliance, or BSA, the University Committee on Student Affairs, or USCA, brought forth the suggestion at a meeting Tuesday as a way to improve diversity awareness on campus. BSA's initial suggestion to USCA called for a mandatory session for all incoming students that "should thoroughly explain the university's policies concerning diversity and the dire importance of diversity in a public setting."

But during the meeting, Provost Kim Wilcox raised concerns about holding a diversity seminar during the two-day AOP sessions, when freshmen also learn about the campus and student life.

"I'm not opposed to the idea, but I'm cautious," Wilcox said. "There's an awful lot of stuff thrown at you at one time. I'm very cautious if that's where we want to make the impact."

Mary Beth Heeder, director of the MSU Orientation Office, declined to comment Tuesday about the AOP sessions.

Wilcox said he has had several discussions about diversity with student groups, such as BSA and the North American Indigenous Student Organization, including ways to increase awareness of diversity issues on campus.

The idea for the diversity sessions partly arose out of BSA's "Blackout Hubbard," in which students wore black to Hubbard Hall's cafeteria and had group discussions on Feb. 28 to raise awareness of racial issues on campus, said journalism senior and BSA President Latanya Simpson.

When students come to MSU, they might not have been exposed to different cultures, Simpson said.

"You are coming here, and a program like this will really force you to open your eyes," Simpson said.

BSA members also have scheduled a meeting with MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon to talk about holding diversity seminars both for incoming and returning students, Simpson said.

The Executive Committee of Academic Council referred the matter back to USCA for further consideration and discussions with the Provost's Office.

"(The student affairs committee) felt we'd want to look at this for next year," USCA Chairperson Jeremy Hernandez said at the meeting.

The executive committee also agreed to move the Academic Council meeting to April 25 and cancel the Academic Senate meeting scheduled for April 26.

Kristen Daum can be reached at daumkris@msu.edu.