Post-Plan 2008 trends point to diversity progress

UW-Madison is beginning to see positive student trends on diversity, as both the university and the UW System evaluate past efforts and consider next steps on the important issue.

Provost Julie Underwood and vice provost for diversity and climate Damon Williams discussed their final impressions of Plan 2008, the university’s 10-year diversity plan, with the Board of Regents today (March 5).

“Our most recent student data indicate a positive upward trend and may imply that our efforts in the area of student achievement and retention may be reaching a tipping point,” Williams says.

A Plan 2008 final report, including data as of fall 2008, was presented to the regents. In addition, more recent UW–Madison data from January indicate that:

• Targeted minority students are at parity with all students in terms of first-year retention rates at roughly 93 percent.
• Additionally, recent six-year graduation data indicates a 6 percentage point improvement in the graduation rate of targeted minority students between 2007 and 2008. Although a 15 percent gap remains, 67 percent of targeted minority students graduated in six years, compared with the 82 percent for all students.

“While there is still work to be done, these are encouraging signs,” Williams adds. “This suggests that our efforts may be taking hold, resulting in the positive impact that we have been working towards for many years.”

Although Plan 2008 has ended, improving diversity and climate continues to be core institutional goals. Williams, Underwood and others are helping plan future next steps.

To help further analyze emerging trends, Williams says UW–Madison will conduct several program reviews and evaluations that will help zero in on areas for improvement, as well as to identify areas in which the university can eliminate program duplication and low performance.

Williams has already launched a review of several of the major campus diversity programs and efforts. This will include a self-study of the Pre-College Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence (PEOPLE), Posse, First Wave, Chancellor’s/Powers Knapp Scholars, the Academic Advancement Program, Summer Collegiate Experience and Trio.

An external evaluation will focus on PEOPLE. This assessment will examine the pre-college component of the program, along with the strategy, structure, processes and impact.

In addition, an external review team will visit the university and focus on how to increase coordination around the faculty diversity hiring process. Williams has begun a process of examining and clarifying the role of the chancellor’s Diversity and Climate Committee, formerly the Diversity Oversight Committee.

Williams is also planning a campuswide study of institutional climate beginning a regular and ongoing collection and assessment of climate data, using state-of-the-art instruments, best practices, and data-gathering, analytical and reporting techniques.

“As a result of Plan 2008, we are highly invested in pipeline programs beginning as early as elementary school, out-of-school time initiatives both during the summer and academic year, and full-support scholarships for students from a range of academic and economic backgrounds,” Williams says. “We’re exploring innovative new approaches to engaging youth that leverage the best of what we know about hip-hop culture, STEM preparation, learning, student development, and a host of other areas.”

See this site for reports on the impact of diversity efforts.

Find a summary of the activities of the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity and Climate, download the Strategic Transition Framework here.