The search for a vice provost for institutional equity and diversity continues as groups and departments on campus that will work with the new administrator wait expectantly for a decision.
Students can meet the latest candidate for the position, Gregory J. Vincent of Louisiana State University, Thursday at 3 p.m. in the EMU Century Room E. He will also be at a campus and community reception on Friday at 4 p.m. in the Bowerman Building’s Heritage Hall.
If hired, Vincent would be responsible for providing leadership for University equity and diversity matters for faculty, staff and students. He would also work closely with University programs that focus on diversity issues, and support affirmative action and human resource operations.
The decision to create the position came a few years ago when students told the administration that it lacked a focus on diversity initiatives.
“The emphasis for this position actually came from students,” Senior Vice President and Provost John Moseley said, adding that the administration agreed the position is important.
A search committee was formed in September 2002, and the administration reviewed three candidates in the spring and one during the summer. Vincent, the fifth candidate, is currently being reviewed , Vice President for Student Affairs Anne Leavitt said.
Vincent served for four years as LSU’s vice provost for academic affairs and campus diversity. He said in a telephone interview that he looks forward to visiting Oregon, adding that if he is hired, his main goal will be “making sure that diversity issues are front and center on campus.”
In the meantime, some say the position should have been filled already.
ASUO Multicultural Advocate Mark Padoongpatt said he feels the process is taking too long and the administration is making too many decisions that lack a perspective on diversity issues. He said the longer the University waits to fill this role, the more it seems like the administration isn’t concerned with these issues.
“In order to be able to claim to be a diverse campus, you have to prioritize issues of race and diversity,” he said.
Moseley said the importance of the position warrants thoughtful decision making.
“It’s more important to get the right person than to fill a position quickly,” he said.
Office of Multicultural Affairs Director Carla D. Gary agreed.
“It would have been nice to have this sooner … but I’m more concerned that we do it and that we do it well,” she said.
Leavitt said one of the main reasons the position has not been filled is because someone with the right qualifications is difficult to find.
“This is not a position that exists on just any other campus,” she said, adding that if a campus does have a similar position, the person who holds it may be too established to want to leave.
The search committee for the position comprises seven faculty and staff and two students, but some campus groups feel students should be better informed of the search.
ASUO Multicultural Center Program Advisor Steve Morozumi said he thinks students should play more of a role in the decision making process.
“We think that the process should be more open and inclusive,” he said. Morozumi also wonders what kind of accountability the position will hold.
“We’re hoping for the best, but it’s kind of wait-and-see skepticism,” he said.
Padoongpatt agreed that students need to play a larger role in the hiring process. He said he met with one of the candidates last spring when students were given the chance to ask questions, but only a few students attended.
He said the University should do a better job of informing students of the search to fill the position so they can be more involved.
“Students need to at least be involved in a panel or questioning the individuals who are applying for this position,” he said.