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Chang-Lin Tien, chancellor of the University of California at Berkeley, has elaborated one version of the diversity argument. He cites ethical, educational, and economic reasons for colleges and universities to diversify their student bodies and faculties.

In the event that some segments of the population are not represented on campuses, all students suffer. It is not misplaced idealism, charitable zeal, or adherence to a politically correct line that compels me to make this statement. In practical terms, we are doing a second-rate job if we fail to prepare students for work in a multicultural society. This preparation is impossible without strong representation of minorities and women in the faculty, in the staff, and in the student body.

Chang-Lin Tien goes on to offer several examples of situations in which knowledge and understanding of various minority cultures will be useful to many of today's students.

Consider just a few examples of the demand for multicultural understanding in different fields. The medical student who plans to set up practice in east Los Angeles needs to learn how to interpret the way her patients perceive and describe symptoms, patients whose families come from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan.

The journalism student who aspires to one of California's major dailies . . . must be versed in interviewing and reporting on all constituencies. . . .

The business administration major who hopes to climb the corporate ladder will head a work force predominated by women and ethnic minorities. The education student will one day teach classes populated by youngsters of different ethnic and language backgrounds. The law student whose sights are set on political office must become familiar with the needs of a multicultural electorate in order to win votes. . . .

We must incorporate in higher education the unique talents, understanding, experiences, knowledge, and perceptions of all the minorities who will constitute the majority population of the twenty-first century. Otherwise, our graduates will be ill-prepared to function in this multicultural society.

Reference: From Chang-Lin Tien, "Diversity and Excellence in Higher Education," in Debating Affirmative Action edited by Nicolaus Mills, p. 239-240.