Goffstown, USA - New Hampshire's St. Anselm College, a Roman Catholic school, wants to double its enrollment of Hispanics, African-Americans and other minorities.
College officials say they want to create an environment that welcomes students of other Christian denominations, religions, and different sexual orientations.
"We need to be a place where everyone feels at home, not just some people," the Rev. Jonathan DeFelice, president of the college. "What are the things we do that are unattractive and therefore keeping some people away? We're asking that question ourselves. Are we doing enough so that people feel comfortable and at home here?"
Denise Askin, the school's new assistant to the president for inclusiveness, said the college would not water down its traditions as it expands course offerings, student organizations, admissions practices and faculty hiring.
The college recently created faculty positions for experts in African history, African-American and postcolonial literature, Chinese language, and Asian religions. This semester, it is offering about a dozen "inclusive" courses on those topics and others, such as liberation theology and women and crime, according to its Web site.
Some students and alumni worry the college risks compromising its identity as a liberal arts Catholic college in the Benedictine tradition.
"It could end up being like in the name of inclusiveness the college will have to accept certain things that are contrary to the Catholic identity," said Matthew Pietropaoli, a 2005 graduate.