Oxford Commerce Reflects Diversity Changes

A recent study shows that diversity is on the rise at Ole Miss, and Lafayette County isn’t far behind.

Recent data showing rising rates of diversity on the Ole Miss campus has lead to changes in commerce for the Oxford/Lafayette county area, sources say.

Max Hipp, president of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of commerce, believes that although the community as a whole is the same, its commercial demands have shown changes.

“With an ever growing diversity of County residents coming from all over the
U. S., I would say that the diversity of students has not changed the community,” he said in an email interview. “However, it has created pockets of outreach and awareness for certain groups who might need our help or assistance.”

Hipp stated that Oxford has always done a great job of accepting diversity that is brought in by the University.

“The Oxford-Lafayette Community has always accepted the diversity within the University of Mississippi student population.” He said. “The University is also doing a very good job of supporting foreign students by offering language assistance as well as meeting other needs.”

Hipp stated that he believed the reason diversity was climbing for the Oxford/Lafayette area was because students who initially come just for an education through Ole Miss, often get jobs here and eventually decide to stay.

“Many of the students who do come here, try to find more ways to live and work here.  I think this fact is the same for all students, including minorities,” he said.

Max Hipp can be reached at max@oxfordms.com