Students and faculty deal with grades, deadlines and personal issues. However, those issues may go deeper than expected when it comes to their specific age, religious affiliation and if they have a disability.

These three topics were discussed Monday at Faculty Development’s final Beyond Diversity workshop for the year.

“We’ve come a long way,” said Kathy Waggoner, assistant director of disabilities services. Through faculty development, Eastern intends to further educate the campus on diversity.

At the session, Eastern’s campus environment was described as non-hostel and therefore made students of other religions comfortable to express their beliefs. And although a non-hostel environment is good, there are going to be students who pose a challenge to different beliefs.

“Challenge is an everyday aspect of life,” said Lisa Schmidt, a senior special education major.

Roy Lanham, director of the Newman Catholic Center, estimated that 90 percent of students are from a Christian background — there is a sense of understanding that their religion is accepted.

“We try to bring them together in some ways,” said Bonnie Irwin, dean of the Honors College.

Eastern is also working with scheduling, considering all students.

Lucy Campanis, associate professor for family and consumer sciences, explained the change in class schedules to accommodate non-traditional students.

“There are more weekend and night classes because of student population differences,” Campanis said. It’s important to have versatile, more accessible courses.

Many limitations come with being a non-traditional student. And as Susan Hankenson, certification officer of the graduate college, explained trying to get a big turnout for activities held specifically for non-traditional students can be difficult.

“They would like to be a part of campus more but they have limitations such as children or full time jobs,” Hankenson said. “We have tried to set up events but the turnouts are not always great.”

Some of the faculty attending suggested that a daycare center be provided. It wouldn’t have to be free, but students would at least be more active in campus living. As Wagner explained the benefits for non-traditional students, Hankenson couldn’t agree with her more.

“I think the project will be well worth investing the money and the time,” Hankenson said.

Most of the attendees said they agreed on the success of the three diversity workshops and would like to see more.

“In all forms of Faculty Development, Mildred (Pearson, director of Faculty Development,) has made marvelous improvements and is way ahead of its time,” said Charles Eberly, of counseling and student development.

Some of the different workshops include understanding how to teach students with a learning disability, how to deal with conflict in the classroom and recognizing and dealing with hostel students.

Faculty development encourages suggestions for workshops faculty would like to see in the future.