Until the early 1960s, the majority of students who attended schools of higher education in this country could be categorized as European American. Currently, Northeastern State University is admitting students of diverse cultural, racial, and linguistic backgrounds in larger numbers than in past years. The following suggestions are for advising a pluralistic student population:

• Become aware of your own cultural values and beliefs and recognize how they influence your attitudes and behaviors.
• Become aware of the cultural values and beliefs of others and understand how they
influence their attitudes and behaviors.
• Avoid stereotyping.
• View each student as an individual, rather than as a representative of a particular culture or country.
• Appreciate students' value systems and help them understand the learning community
and its values.
•Understand that nonverbal behaviors are not universal in meaning--eye contact, gestures,
body positions, space. Do not let varying styles of communication interfere with having a meaningful advising session.
• Be a good listener and try to understand what students are asking. To improve
communication, rephrase their remarks to verify your interpretation.

This requires
• openness to change;
• acknowledgment of diversity;
• knowing and respecting the norms of other groups;
• understanding and accepting those differences;
• the ability to be nonjudgmental and inclusive.