Gonzaga needs more than words

As I am reading the Nov. 3  Gonzaga Bulletin, on the front page two articles catch my attention: "Breaking the silence on DADT" and "Activist speaks on overcoming disabilities." And that got me thinking, "Does Gonzaga really care about its diverse population or just about the ones that are in the headlines?"

I believe that no one should ever be attacked for their beliefs or sexual preference, let alone be discriminated against for having disabilities. I think it is inappropriate to demoralize any human beings. 

I have been a student at Gonzaga for the last two years and I have experienced inappropriate behavior a number of times on this campus by classmates, faculty and students that are in leadership roles. Yes, I am different from most sophomores: I am a nontraditional student who is a Hispanic woman and has a DREAM accommodation plan. I retired from a successful career and was lucky enough to be able to pursue my lifelong dream of attending Gonzaga University with the hopes of graduating.

With that said, my question is why is it acceptable for others to laugh at me in class when I give a presentation or when I ask a question. Usually, I am not asked to join a group for group discussions until the professor says, "You go with that group." And when I inquired about a leadership training event, I was told, "You do not want to come because there is going to be activities, [instead] you can come to the guest speakers."Also, whyis it OK for a professor not to follow my DREAM documentation plan, when I am protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act? These specific acts of discrimination are just a few of what I have experienced in the last two years at Gonzaga.

Please do not get me wrong, I am thankful for the opportunity to attend Gonzaga and I have gratitude for the extra support from my professors and mentors. I am not saying that I am entitled to any special treatment because I am a non-traditional student — there are 182 nontraditional undergrads on campus this fall semester — or I deserve some kind of respect because I am as old as most students' parents. I am not looking for any new BFFs either; I just believe if we all tried to use our best manners a little more, we could solve a lot of injustices.