- Number of religious denominations represented on campus
- 27
- Number of campus cultural organizations
- 25
- Percent of American students of color
- 28
- Percent of students from other countries
- 6
- Percent of Williams students who speak more than one language at home
- 15
- Percent of faculty members of color
- 17
- Williams students of color who annually earn Mellon Foundation fellowships that support year-round academic research and travel
- 5
- Number of Bolin Fellows (minority Ph.D. Candidates who come to Williams to teach and work on their dissertations) funded per year since 1985
- 3
Since its inception, Williams College has undergone transformation after dramatic transformation, none more noticeable than in our student body. Founded with the intent of "civilizing" farm boys of Western Massachusetts, Williams quickly grew to become an educator of New England's "elite" and earn a national reputation as a training ground for future leaders.
| Class of 2010 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Cultural Characteristics: | |||
| African-American: | 52 | 10% | |
| Asian-American: | 59 | 10% | |
| Non-U.S.: | 42 | 8% | |
| Latino/a: | 42 | 8% | |
| Native American: | 1 | ›1% | |
| White(U.S.): | 345 | 64% | |
| Secondary School Origin: | |||
| Parochial/Religious: | 10% | ||
| Private: | 31% | ||
| Public: | 59% | ||
| Financial Aid: | |||
| Financial Aid Recipients: | 49% | ||
| Other Key Attributes: | |||
| Born abroad US citizens: | 27 | 5% | |
| First-Generation Students: | 89 | 16% | |
In recent decades – in tune with changes sweeping the larger society – we have grown to include students from every ethnic, economic, racial, and cultural background. Today, Williams is multicultural, ecumenical, worldly, and world-renowned. Today, we believe the privilege is ours to welcome students from every one of the United States, many of the world's countries, and every possible background.
Traditionally, campus diversity has referred to students' ethnicity; socioeconomic status is sometimes included in the notion. Our idea of diversity must be broader than that to include the wide backgrounds of race, religion, geography, and sexual and gender identifications that our students and faculty represent.
However, such diversity in numbers is merely a potential for interaction at Williams or any other college. If students aren't put into situations where they interact widely and freely across campus, then we are not maximizing the potential of a diverse community. Our hope is that after four years of discovering, sharing, and discussing ideas together, students emerge ready to contribute to a world they more fully understand as a direct result of the people they met – and whom they may never have, had they not matriculated – at Williams.
Black Williams[PDF]
Williams today is comprised of roughly half male and half female students, about seven percent non-U.S. citizens, and over 35 percent domestic students from underrepresented ethnic, social, and socioeconomic groups. Nearly 60 percent of our students come from public high schools and the majority of our student body receives financial aid from Williams and other sources. With 100% of any student's demonstrated financial need met (be they a domestic or international applicant), Williams ensures that the world's best and the brightest are given the opportunity to learn and benefit from one another in a climate that is supportive and collaborative. Our community's diversity enables Williams to provide a liberal arts education that represents the world. It is this commitment to change that maintains Williams alumni at the forefront of a rapidly-evolving global community.
Dedicated in 1989, the Multicultural Center (MCC) houses a library, a large meeting area, a kitchen, and offices for campus cultural organizations. The Director of the MCC assists student groups in organizing activities and bringing in performers and speakers. Other facilities include a Jewish Religious Center formally dedicated in 1990; Hardy House, which contains meeting and social space for the Queer Student Union and the International Club; and Rice House, home to the Black Student Union. As both an educational and social resource, the Center houses a variety of student organizations and fosters close interaction and cooperation among various groups.
A campus constant, lunch forums are held in the MCC at noon during the semester. These forums, organized by the Center, offer an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to meet and discuss issues of interest in an informal setting. Presentations are often made by students (discussing their research, or sharing their experiences after studying abroad), by faculty members discussing their research, and by visiting speakers.