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Abstract

The sociology of diversity is an emerging field that examines how social differences, such as race, gender, class, and ability, intersect within institutions and everyday life. As diversity becomes a central concern in education, workplaces, and policymaking, scholars continue to debate not only what diversity is but also what it looks like in practice, how it is performed, who is responsible for enacting it, and how institutional diversity goals align–or fail to align–with broader social equity objectives. These key debates within diversity discourse aid to critically assess how SUNY Geneseo, self-defined as an “equity-based honors college,” engages with diversity initiatives. While institutions often adopt policies and rhetoric that emphasize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), research suggests a significant gap between institutional commitments and the lived experiences of marginalized groups. Preliminary observations from SUNY Geneseo’s Diversity Summit allowed broader debates to be grounded in specific institutional context to consider how diversity is conceptualized, enacted, and contested within higher education. Key debates surrounding the sociology of diversity primarily focus on the tensions found in what diversity is, what it looks like, and who is expected to perform it, as well as the manner in which diversity has been framed as a branding tool which obscures institutional role in oppressions while generating value for the institution. This raises critical questions that consider the difference in institutional goals versus practitioners goals for diversity as well as the legitimacy of diversity as a tool of equity.

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