The University President's Commission on Diversity and Equity presented an interim report to the Board of Visitors' Special Committee on Diversity Friday, in which they discussed the creation of a permanent diversity and equity administrative position or office.
"This is just an interim report, so I think it is too soon to draw specific conclusions," University spokesperson Carol Wood said. "I don't think anything is going to be done until the final report is presented, and the president has a chance to review them."
Commission Co-Chairs Michael J. Smith and Angela M. Davis authored the report outlining the Commission's accomplishments as well as its future goals.
The Commission calls for the establishment of a "Chief Officer and/or Office for Diversity and Equity," according to the report.
"What we are doing is considering how to create a structure in which the University succeeds at creating a diverse faculty and a welcoming atmosphere for all students," Smith said. "Virtually all of our peer institutions have something like this office or officer. We are in the process of finding out how it works in our peer institutions and how it might work here."
According to the report, the Commission aims to create an integrated package of initiatives with an overall goal of becoming the leader of American public universities in providing a diverse community.
Smith said the Commission has not yet come to any specific conclusions, nor has it formally recommended the creation of a Chief Officer and/or Office for Diversity and Equity.
"The Commission itself has not yet answered all the questions it wishes to answer before it makes formal recommendations," Smith said. "We are engaging in intense and worthwhile conversation with people all over the University. However, the Commission is still in fact-finding mode, so it is premature for us to say anything as to how we have succeeded."
The report stated that the University must build on its current strengths and bolster diversity and equity in places in which weaknesses exist.
"We are looking forward to having a University with a faculty that looks more like the country we live in and an environment in which everyone feels welcome and fairly treated," Smith said. "That is a continuing process and a set of values that we all share and work towards."
The Commission is divided into four main subgroups: Curriculum, student life and climate, faculty and staff recruitment and retention, and models from business and community.
Each subgroup looks into spreading diversity and equity within its specific area of interest.
Wood said the Board and the University are very committed to the ideas of diversity and equity among its students and faculty.
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