Tensions ran high in an open forum Monday, when University students, faculty and community members voiced their concerns and disapproval about the administration’s efforts to improve diversity on this campus.
University President Dave Frohnmayer and Provost John Moseley opened the floor to the University community to discuss Western Michigan University President Elson S. Floyd’s recent diversity recommendations to the administration. Floyd visited the campus from July 7 to July 9 and from October 19 to 23, 2001 and during his stay, he interacted with 400 members of the University community about the diversity climate.
“We brought Floyd into the equation because we wanted an objective third party,” Moseley said. “This report is not the only thing we will be using to push forward diversity on this campus.”
In Floyd’s final report, he proposed that the University establish a position for Vice President for Student Affairs. Moseley said a search for such a position had already been under way before Floyd released his suggestions, and the report simply confirmed the need for this position.
Other suggestions consisted of developing a communication plan to respond to various student and faculty “diversity reports,” move the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity from the administration division to academic affairs, eliminate the position of University Advocate and establish a new position of Vice Provost for Instructional Responsiveness, and redefine the role of the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Ethnic Studies Director Shari Huhndorf said she believed Floyd’s suggestions failed as plausible solutions because they did not include ideas for improving recruitment and retention of students and faculty of color, or for curriculum reform.
Jayna Brown, assistant professor of ethnic studies and English, agreed and said she thinks hiring people of color should be a priority.
“I think that there should be some type of recruitment strategy,” she said. “The administration can not just hire one minority, but should do cluster hiring.”
Multicultural Affairs Program Coordinator Lyllye Parker said not only should the administration hire more people of color, they should also focus on retention.
“Many minorities hired here come and go before they can make an impact,” she said. “Oregon is a very different place compared to where the majority of people of color live, and retention should be a top priority here.”
Lane Community College Ethnic Studies Coordinator Micheal Samano said he not only wants to see more diverse faculty, but staff should keep diversity in mind as well.
“It should go beyond counting the heads of people of color,” Samano said. “Employees who work at the University need to be conscious as well.”
Human Resources Training and Development Administrator Cris Cullinan said she hoped the administration does not follow Floyd’s suggestion to move the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity out of the Office of Human Resources because she believes it has been functioning successfully at this location.
Moseley said the University has no plans to move the office, but no matter where the office is located, it should be in an environment that promotes independence and objectivity.
Matt Garcia, assistant professor of ethnic studies and history, said he hopes the University has plans to help build a stronger ethnic studies program and said he believed other colleges, such as Oregon State University and Washington State University, have been doing a better job with their programs.
Moseley said he recognized everyone’s concern and wanted to note that the University has been doing more recruitment for minority students in high schools, and this year’s freshman class was not only the largest but the most diverse. He also said it is difficult to create diversity when the majority of students come from Oregon, which has a primarily white population.
“We recognize that there is always room for improvement,” he said.
Frohnmayer told the audience he would appreciate any further input via e-mail in the next 10 days so he could consider their comments before making a decision on any diversity initiatives.