President John T. Casteen, III appointed William B. Harvey as the University's first vice president and chief officer for diversity and equity yesterday.
Harvey, who is nationally recognized as an expert on improving diversity in higher education, will begin his work at the University Nov. 1, according to University Relations.
After the findings of the President's Commission Report on Diversity and Equity, a year-long study that began Sept. 5, 2003, were published, the University saw "key recommendations to create a position of someone who would really be responsible for taking the University's diversity initiatives," University spokesperson Carol Wood said.
The position is meant to give an individual the authority and visibility to support substantive systematic changes at the university, Wood said.
Harvey "will assist and monitor all units of the University in their efforts to recruit and retain faculty, staff and students from historically underrepresented groups and to prove affirmative and supportive environments for work and life here at U.Va.," she said.
Harvey comes to the University prepared to support these changes, as he has both a strong academic and administrative background in education, Wood said.
For the past five years, Harvey has served as vice president of the Center for Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Equity at the American Council on Education in Washington, D.C., an organization in which Harvey represented the interest of over 1,600 colleges and universities in their effort to identify and alleviate minority concerns, Harvey said.
Wood said Harvey also will hold a dual appointment in the Education School and in the African-American Studies program when he arrives at the University.
Although he said he could not comment on specific programs or initiatives he hopes to implement at the University, Harvey said in the press release that he seeks to convey the message that "diversity is important to maintaining the University's high level of recognition, reputation and ranking."
Wood said Harvey's appointment advances University goals.
"I think it is a clear indication of how seriously the president and the Board of Visitors take the furthering of diversity at the University, and it shows their commitment to move the University ahead and to become a model in higher education," she said.
Once Harvey arrives at the University, he said he plans to talk to student leaders, professors, deans and Charlottesville residents to get a sense of what the University community thinks about diversity.
"I'm very much interested in getting as much input and feedback as I can," he said. "I'm looking forward to meeting with folks and making the campus a welcoming place for everyone."
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