2008 Woodie Awards
Council Examines Issues Of Diversity On Colgate's Campus
Jill Ferris
Issue date: 11/12/04 Section: News
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"A lot of students of color are uncomfortable being at this school," first-year Malik Wright said. "I came from the Bronx, where the majority of people are black or Hispanic; it's just a different environment here. I'm not used to it."
On Wednesday afternoon, two sessions of the initial meeting of Colgate's new Diversity Council were held in Brehmer Theater of the Dana Arts Center. Led by Dean of Faculty and Provost Lyle Roelofs and Dean of the College Adam Weinberg, both sessions were well attended by representatives of Colgate's students, faculty and staff.
When President of the University Rebecca Chopp took office in 2002, she began working with then-Dean of Faculty and Provost Jack Dovidio to research diversity and inclusivity at Colgate. A Diversity Pre-Planning Committee was appointed in 2003 to define the parameters on which the University's Diversity Council would operate.
The council consists of two bodies: a larger group dedicated to fostering conversation on issues of diversity, and a smaller Executive Committee to oversee the Diversity Council. Each SGA recognized student organization on campus was invited to elect two representatives to the Council, which is set to convene monthly in meetings open to the public. The Executive Committee, which will meet biweekly, consists of senior faculty and administrators.
"We know some of the recommendations that come from this Diversity Council will be controversial," Roelofs said. "We wanted people on the Executive Committee who would be here [for an extended period of time] and who have tenure, so that they can wade into contentious waters safely."
After an initial overview of the Council and a review of the report from Colgate's Diversity Pre-Planning Committee, Diversity Council members were offered the opportunity to speak out on topics of diversity.
Those members who chose to speak addressed a variety of issues from the lack of student representation on the Executive Committee to issues to be addressed in order to promote diversity, such as housing and admissions.
On Wednesday afternoon, two sessions of the initial meeting of Colgate's new Diversity Council were held in Brehmer Theater of the Dana Arts Center. Led by Dean of Faculty and Provost Lyle Roelofs and Dean of the College Adam Weinberg, both sessions were well attended by representatives of Colgate's students, faculty and staff.
When President of the University Rebecca Chopp took office in 2002, she began working with then-Dean of Faculty and Provost Jack Dovidio to research diversity and inclusivity at Colgate. A Diversity Pre-Planning Committee was appointed in 2003 to define the parameters on which the University's Diversity Council would operate.
The council consists of two bodies: a larger group dedicated to fostering conversation on issues of diversity, and a smaller Executive Committee to oversee the Diversity Council. Each SGA recognized student organization on campus was invited to elect two representatives to the Council, which is set to convene monthly in meetings open to the public. The Executive Committee, which will meet biweekly, consists of senior faculty and administrators.
"We know some of the recommendations that come from this Diversity Council will be controversial," Roelofs said. "We wanted people on the Executive Committee who would be here [for an extended period of time] and who have tenure, so that they can wade into contentious waters safely."
After an initial overview of the Council and a review of the report from Colgate's Diversity Pre-Planning Committee, Diversity Council members were offered the opportunity to speak out on topics of diversity.
Those members who chose to speak addressed a variety of issues from the lack of student representation on the Executive Committee to issues to be addressed in order to promote diversity, such as housing and admissions.