Achieving unity through diversity is a year-long effort.

Assistant Director of Housing Willard Draper said Unity in Diversity will return next semester and remain a celebration throughout the school year.

Draper said the program is expanding from a week to a year because students seem to forget what the idea really stands for.

“We want people to recognize that diversity is a way of American life,” Draper said. “We want people to celebrate other diversities.”

Next year’s theme is “Stand Up, Come Out, and Join In,” Draper said.

The program, developed by the Campus Activities Board, will start with a kick-off week between Sept. 24 and Sept. 30, he said.

“It was the committee’s intent to keep the kick-off week full of life and spirit, both socially and educationally,” said Christy Nosek, Unity in Diversity coordinator. “We hope to encourage those who have not experienced Unity in Diversity to ‘Stand Up, Come Out, and Join In.'”

The committee invites every heritage on campus to participate and celebrate all of the different segments in Northern’s community, Draper said.

“We need solid representation from all of the various cultures,” he said. “If we fail to have this, we run the risk of lack of knowlege of that culture.”