Adapted from
Assessment: A First Step to Diversifying the Oregon State University Extension Service

by Ann C. Schauber, Extension Diversity Leader
Oregon State University Corvallis

1) "I don't have time now to get things done.why go looking for more?" Our current workload doesn't allow the time needed to reach out to culturally diverse groups or any new audiences.

2) "Our programs are open and relevant to everyone." Lack of awareness; lack of input from and relevance to diverse constituents.

3) "Everyone is welcome to our programs." Lack of awareness; unaware of perceptions of who Extension serves and who is running the programs; unaware of various vehicles used to publicize events and reach various communities

4) "We're not going to change a good thing." Power of traditional audiences; fear of putting effort into working with diverse groups because it would be at the expense of traditional audiences who are pleased with Extension

5) "This takes more money. Where are we going to find it?" Lack of fiscal resources; fear that organization lacks the fiscal resources needed to hire a diverse staff and/or adequately serve diverse audiences.

6) "Our County Legislators, Board of Directors, 4-H Leaders, Ag Program Committee, etc. do not support diversity efforts." Being agents for the dominant society: not all groups are perceived as valuable or worthwhile audiences.

7) "It's not our mission.why should we?" Lack of organizational commitment; perception that the organization as a whole is not committed to reaching out to culturally diverse audiences and that it is not part of our core mission

8) "I don't know how - or even where to start." Lack of skills and resources to work effectively with diverse groups.

9) "Do we have research for this? There is no back-up from Cornell." Lack of culturally appropriate educational designs; current educational programs and methods do not transfer directly to culturally diverse audiences; lack knowledge of culturally appropriate educational design.

10) "We don't have any excluded audiences or employees!" Lack of awareness and understanding of the reality of where we are and the vision of where we could be

Other Barriers:
Language and cultural barriers
Restrictive academic hiring criteria
Fear of embarrassment or being offensive

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