Although no blueprint or mission statement has been drafted yet, plans for a University research center focused on diversity has begun and is being fueled by the vision and energy of University members.
Increasing campus diversity has been the motivation behind a number of University programs, staff positions and scholarships in the past few years. But the idea to create a center to provide facilitation services, training on diversity issues and a research component is new not only to the University, but to the nation.
President Frohnmayer announced the creation of the Center for the Study of Social Change, the Center’s tentative name, in his State of the University Address Oct. 18. Since that time, an 18-member committee has been formed to create the vision for the Center.
The committee will release a detailed plan for the Center by the end of winter term.
“The basic concept [of the Center] is a strong research and service component,” Frohnmayer said.
According to Mia Tuane, a University sociology professor and the Center’s committee chair, the push for the Center came after students concerned with intolerance and racism participated in a sit-in at Johnson Hall in the spring of 1999. The sit-in was sparked by a sexist comment in a class e-mail discussion group.
She said the Center will take steps to train students in facilitating the many aspects of the Center’s work.
“I am very excited,” said David Frank, the committee assistant chair. “This is the first attempt to try to examine the issues of diversity from multiple perspectives, while at the same time healing wounds from racism and other ‘isms’ that were expressive on campus.”
While the committee is still discussing what the objectives of the Center are going to be, the hope for its future is already known.
“We would eventually like to see ourselves as a model for the Pacific Northwest,” Tuane said. “The scope for the Center has an outward facing vision, not just at the U of O. We would like the Center to be a resource to communities outside campus as well.”
In the past few years, universities across the state have increased their efforts to address diversity.
“We have a number of departments, offices and people that respond to diversity issues,” said Phyllis Lee, Oregon State University’s director of multicultural affairs. “But we don’t have one place we call a research center.”
Portland State University is also making strides to address diversity, according to David Martinez, student advisor to the multicultural Center at PSU. He said the university has organized a Diversity Action Council, whose members seek to improve diversity in the areas of student life, curriculum and the retention and recruitment of minorities.
How the Center will affect University of Oregon diversity issues remains uncertain.
“I don’t know if [the Center] will increase the physical number of minorities on campus,” said Mark Tracy, the assistant dean for diversity programs and a Center committee member. “But I do think it will do an excellent job educating all members of the campus community, and provide increased awareness.”
Much of the Center’s prospects depend on how well the committee, which met for the first time earlier this month, can work together.
During the committee’s six-hour retreat, members discussed their ambitions and goals.
“We talked about how we might achieve the goal and tried to achieve a sense of sharing the same vision, one that invites different interpretations,” Frank said.
While plans for the Center are still in the early stages, two research associates have been hired to look into how various universities across the country have successfully handled diversity issues.