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Jim Bonilla, associate professor of Graduate School of Management and faculty coordinator for Diversity Resources, introduced Chesler as the “grand ol’ man of diversity education.”

President Hanson also introduced Chesler, which was the first time a university president has introduced a speaker for the lecture series.

This discussion was part of the eighth annual Race, Gender and Beyond lecture series.

A large part of the discussion revolved around how to handle issues about diversity in both the classroom and university-wide. “Struggles penetrate all institutions in society so we should not be surprised,” Chesler said.

During his talk, Chesler outlined five myths about diversity and surrounding efforts. One myth is that diversity is only about race. Chesler said diversity does not include only black or white, but also gender, sexuality and the encompassing spectrum of race.

Diversity is not only about representation. Chesler busts this myth with the idea that full inclusion and integration is needed. Most students come from segregated backgrounds, so diversity needs to be incorporated in all aspects of the university.

Another myth Chesler addressed was the idea that diversity is only about students. He said often faculty, staff and administrators feel marginalized in the workplace, but may not say anything. Student-to-professor relationships can also be strained based on race.

The idea that the climate for diversity is either “all bad” or “all good” is also a myth. Chesler said that open discussion of both sides is needed.

The final myth is that diversity is primarily about individual change. While individual change is important so is structural and cultural change, he said. This is a difficult step. “Many of us know what to do but have a hard time doing it,” he said. “We have a lot of learning to do together.”

Chesler also presented nine steps that a university should take in order to promote diversity understanding and how to deal with problems that arise.

He particularly emphasized the idea that diversity is an all-encompassing yet vague descriptor and it must be addressed in a broad way. “Sometimes it takes a crisis to move an institution,” Chesler said.

Crowd reaction was positive. Chief of Staff Phyllis Goff said she enjoyed Chesler’s discussion about a diverse group of learners, including students, staff, faculty and administrators. Goff said that of the many suggestions Chesler made, there are “Some of which we are doing and some of which we need to do more.”

“Just starting to have the conversations is helpful,” English professor Mike Reynolds said. “Whenever these issues heat up on campus we don’t really know how to respond.” They “push us into collaborative conversations on what we mean and want in light of diversity,” Reynolds said.

Philosophy professor Sam Imbo said the lecture was a very timely discussion in light of recent events. “You would have thought more people would have been here as a result,” Imbo said. “I’m glad he came and visited campus, this was a wonderful program.”