Opinion: The High Cost of Diversity at Boise State

Are segregated graduation ceremonies a bit too far on the politically correct stage?  Back in the 1960s, thousands of Americans sacrificed their bodies, time and sweat to desegregate schools, drinking fountains and accommodations.  Now the pendulum is swinging another direction.  Boise State University invites controversy with separate commencement exercises.

I’m told, technically, these students still attend the main ceremony, however.  They also want second ceremonies to celebrate their ethnicity, sexual preference and dominant throwing arms.  After all, the left-handed often feel unfairly disparaged and a special ceremony should square any old psychological trauma lefties suffered in class, at beer bashes and while eating at dining halls.

There was a forum on this topic at Boise State.  Idaho Education News tells us it was co-sponsored by campus Republicans and Democrats.

The story tells us the leader of the House Minority in the State Legislature mocked concerns about the expense of multiple commencements.  Grants and sponsorship money would pay the tabs.

As you all know, grant money grows on trees.  It’s not like tax money.  You write a proposal for the federal government, a Washington bureaucrat admires your prose and then he/she/they clips the dollar leaves from the trees and puts the dough in a sack.  A few weeks later a drone drops the bag somewhere near midfield at Albertsons Stadium.  How can anybody object?

Sponsorship money is often the marketing budget from corporations.  Businesses have shareholders who, when not looking at their statements, want more of their retirement savings gifted to left-handed graduations. The company would never raise prices to cover costs and placate shareholders.

Don’t forget, all this diversity requires diversity officers.  Each earning $115,000 a year and also receiving a generous retirement package.

Maybe Boise State should plant its own money trees!