A cultural pluralism class might become mandatory for graduation if two separate campus groups get their wishes.

William Minor, chairman of the sociology department, said the department is considering making the course a requirement for sociology majors.

“The department of sociology has initiated a curriculum proposal,” Minor said. “It’s a major undertaking.” They also are considering changing the course number from 350 to a 200-level course to “make it accessible to students earlier.”

Another group pushing for a mandate is an ad-hoc committee formed by Willie Fowler, former Residence Hall Association president, and Joan Clay, Student Association minority relations adviser.

Fowler said the committee has made a proposal to the university to make the class required for all NIU students. “It’s a very long process,” he said.

Fowler said the proposal is going through various committees, including the general education committee, but “does not fit nicely into any committee.”

However, Minor said funding problems for a required class would be “fairly evident.”

He estimated the department would need between 30 and 50 new faculty members who would teach nothing but the classes in cultural pluralism and would require about 64 new sections. He added the new faculty would have to be permanent. “This class is too important to rely on temporary faculty,” he said.

The increase in faculty would triple the size of the sociology department, Minor said. He also said that current staffing is low. “I don’t think it’s (a required cultural pluralism class) likely.”

“We need to have this class required for all students,” Fowler said. “It’s essential—there’s different backgrounds and different cultures. There’s a need for this.” He said current students would not face the requirement.

Minor said it might be better to “build on expertise already available here.

“Such a requirement would be better handled by a list of alternatives that dealt with race relations,” he said..

“The goals are certainly worthwhile,” Minor said. “It’s important because majority and minority relations are constantly reassessed.”