Work on Diversity Action Plan Continues
In her State of the College address, Academic Vice President and Dean Darlyne Bailey stressed that one of her priorities was to “craft an educational community broad and deep enough to safely hold all of us.” As part of that effort, The Affirmative Action Committee at TC has been working to facilitate, support and acknowledge groups around the College whose activities and vision are focused on diversity. The bi-annual meetings provide a means of identifying actions that will further a collective mission of establishing the College as an institution “that attracts, supports, and retains diverse students, faculty and staff at all levels through a commitment to social justice, a respectful and vibrant community and encouragement and support of each individual in the achievement of his or her potential.”
In
her State of the College address, Academic Vice President and Dean
Darlyne Bailey stressed that one of her priorities was to "craft an
educational community broad and deep enough to safely hold all of us."
As part of that effort, The Affirmative Action Committee at TC has been
working to facilitate, support and acknowledge groups around the
College whose activities and vision are focused on diversity. The
bi-annual meetings provide a means of identifying actions that will
further a collective mission of establishing the College as an
institution "that attracts, supports, and retains diverse students,
faculty and staff at all levels through a commitment to social justice,
a respectful and vibrant community and encouragement and support of
each individual in the achievement of his or her potential."
"There is important work being done by different groups throughout the
College. The Affirmative Action Committee is simply trying to bolster
this work by providing opportunities to better communicate and/or
coordinate the activities-building a stronger network," said Committee
member Assistant Professor Peter Coleman.
A Diversity Action
Planning Report was presented by the Affirmative Action Committee to
the Dean's office in 2003 on behalf of the groups, outlining the
significant steps that were being taken. Highlights of the meeting
included:
The Affirmative Action Committee researched
potential scholarships for LGBT students and reviewed course
evaluations for inclusion of diversity issues. The Barrier
Removal Committee's continued efforts to improve signage, provide
closed captioned media for all classes and events, and insure access
for people with dis/Abilities to campus facilities. The
Committee on Community and Diversity developed a campus Web site,
awarded two grants for student research in diversity and sponsored
cultural events such as TC's African Diaspora Cine Club. The
FEC Committee on Race, Culture and Diversity awarded two faculty
diversity awards and organized colloquia around relevant topics such as
teaching about war in Iraq. The International Student Office
formed an International Advisory Committee and improved attendance at
International Week events. The Student Life Office and
Student Senate initiated a weekly announcement to improve student
awareness about community events and worked for student representation
on college-wide committees. The Target of Opportunity selected and secured funding for two minority post-doctoral fellows for the year.
In March, the committee meets again involving the groups above as well
as additional participants representing a broadening of commitment to
these issues. "The purpose will be to review current processes to
identify how best to support and move forward with continued efforts
and to examine how these efforts link to the College's Strategic
Planning initiatives," said Assistant Professor Lori Custodero,
Committee Co-chair. "The meeting in the Fall of 2002 started
with a review of existing resources we have at the College to improve
institutional policy, practice and community," Custodero said. "Last
spring we began to document implementation issues that require
attention, including the need for greater communication and
dissemination of information, and the less easily negotiated influences
of budgetary priorities and legal responsibilities. We plan to
collectively revisit both ‘what we have' and ‘what we need' at our
March meeting, in the service of setting goals that are both realistic
and relevant."
"The College is making progress on this agenda,
and there is much work to be done," added Coleman. "Establishing and
maintaining a climate that respects diversity and engages in
implementing the kinds of policies and practices that are required
demands a long-term commitment by people throughout the College."
Published Friday, Sep. 3, 2004
