Resolution in Support of Diversity Clears Faculty Senate

Diversity issues continue to dominate the discussions of the Faculty Senate.

On Monday, the senate approved a resolution affirming its commitment to diversity over the past 25 years and supporting the university’s efforts to foster a diverse campus body.

“The Faculty Senate reaffirms its strong support for an intellectually and culturally diverse campus and directs the faculty, staff, students and campus administrators to continue vigorously to create a campus environment that rejects discrimination and that embraces openness and diversity,” the resolution reads.

At its April 7 meeting, the senate reviewed the annual report from the Committee on Academic Affairs of Minority/Disadvantaged Students. The report documents that the percentage of minority students, African Americans and Native Americans in particular, on campus is stagnating, but it notes that retention and graduation of undergraduate minority students has improved.

The senate on April 7 also postponed a vote to create equity and diversity committees campus-wide. The vote was delayed following discussion on the need for and duties of the committees, some of which already exist on campus.

The proposal, which will come up for a vote at the May 5 Faculty Senate meeting, would create up to 28 equity and diversity committees in schools, colleges and major units. Organizers say the committees will help create and promote “an equitable, diverse and respectful community.”

The proposal had some senators wondering if the committees would duplicate efforts already underway on campus. Others questioned the committees’ involvement in faculty hiring, saying it wasn’t proper for non-faculty to have a role in that process.

But Mariamne Whatley, associate dean of the School of Education, told the senate that members of her school’s equity and diversity committee meet with faculty search committees only before a search to help refine the process.

“The role is not a policing role but a supporting role,” she said.

Robert Christiaansen, professor of occupational therapy and chair of the panel introducing the proposal, told the senate the committees are needed to support campus diversity efforts.

Gregory Vincent, director of the Equity and Diversity Resource Center, said after the meeting that he and Christiaansen will meet with the advisory committee for his office to compile a document addressing the issues raised. The advisory committee presented the equity and diversity committee motion to the senate.

“The questions are legitimate, and we have clear explanations,” Vincent says.

Also at the April 7 meeting, Emeritus Professor of Economics W. Lee Hansen again criticized university diversity policies. Chancellor David Ward responded by emphasizing his and the university’s support for diversity efforts on campus.

Hansen continued his criticism at the UW System Board of Regents meeting April 10. He said money spent on diversity should be used to hire new faculty.

In response, Provost John Wiley told the board that UW–Madison does not admit unqualified minority students and underscored the university’s commitment to diversity. Several students also spoke in support of diversity at the meeting.