Those awaiting the University’s revised Five Year Diversity Plan will have to wait a bit longer.
According to Charles Martinez, the interim vice provost of institutional equity and diversity, the revised diversity plan should be released by the end of fall term.
“We’re quite hopeful that we can have a report and draft available. It’s realistic to say this term, and if not then shortly thereafter,” Martinez said.
He added that although a release in the spring is a possibility, putting forth a new plan for discussion as quickly as possible is a main goal.
“The time line isn’t a certainty at this point, but it’s certain to say very soon,” Martinez said.
The original plan, led by former Vice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity Gregory Vincent, who now holds a similar position at the University of Texas, drew heavy criticism from the campus community.
The plan had more than 25 specific recommendations, including establishing cultural competency classes for freshmen and asking each department to explain how new hires tie into the University’s overarching plan for a diverse faculty.
After the initial draft, 25 faculty members wrote an open letter to University President Dave Frohnmayer that condemned the plan, calling it “Orwellian” and asking that the University withdraw the plan.
Following the controversy, the University appointed a Diversity Executive Working Group to revise the plan in June. Twelve faculty and staff members as well as ASUO President Adam Walsh make up the committee, which includes two who signed the letter of protestation: physics professor Nilendra Deshpande and mathematics professor emeritus Richard Koch. The group is co-chaired by Suzanne Clark, an English professor, and psychology professor Gordon Hall.
“This effort is about having students be active participants in the process, and to me that’s absolutely essential,” he said.
The group has been meeting weekly since June to revise the plan.
“The group includes a wide representation of constituents on campus, and it’s important, too, to reflect diverse views on the previous plan,” Martinez said.
Although the group originally intended to have the new plan ready in time for fall term, Martinez said the complexity and importance of the subject matter demanded the plan not be released until it is absolutely complete.
He added that he hopes campus and community members will give their opinions on the new plan after its release.
Martinez said much of the focus was on “providing definitions” and “implementation issues” that were lacking in the original draft.
Ten group members did not return the Emerald’s calls and sociology professor Mia Tuan would not comment on the committee’s work.
Martinez said he hopes students are still concerned with and thinking about the plan.
“I would want students to know, ‘Stay tuned – this is coming,’ and we really encourage participation in the discussion,” he said.
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