Purdue News

June 27, 1997

Purdue releases diversity draft

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- A preliminary draft of a report on diversity at Purdue University was released today (Friday, 6/27) by the office of the president.

The 128-page draft, "From Barriers to Bridges: The Purdue University Plan for Enhancing Diversity," was prepared by Myra D. Mason, director of the Diversity Resource Office, as part of a project to develop a strategic plan for diversity. The project is being funded by a 1995 Lilly Endowment grant. The final report is being prepared by Judith Gappa, vice president for human relations, and will be released later this summer.

In releasing the preliminary version, President Steven C. Beering said: "Although a draft document such as this is not subject to public records laws and normally would not be given wide distribution, I believe an exception is warranted in this case. There has been widespread speculation in our community and in the media that the draft portrays the climate for diversity at Purdue in an extremely negative way. This simply is not true, and I believe the best way to deal with the speculation is to allow all those who are interested to read it for themselves.

"The document certainly points to areas in which the climate for diversity at Purdue can be improved, but I am not surprised by this, and I don't believe any intelligent observer would expect otherwise. The point of this project was to find ways to improve ourselves, and that is the outcome I expect. We have reason to be proud of the more than 70 ongoing programs that are aimed at helping minorities and women succeed, of our graduation rate for minorities and of the exciting changes in many areas, such as the Black Cultural Center.

"I am committed to having a university that allows every individual to develop his or her own potential to the fullest, and I believe this development happens best when we are among people of all races, religions and cultures in a climate of mutual respect. However, I also recognize that we live in an imperfect world and that diversity is a journey, rather than a destination. We have done well in some things, not so well in others, but we will continue to grow and improve in all areas."

Beering said the final version of the report, rather than the draft released today, will be the one upon which any future action is based. However, he stressed that he expects differences between the two versions to be matters of completeness and organization. "We have no desire to suppress or conceal anything contained in this draft, but it is not the document that we would submit as the final outcome of the Lilly project," he said. "When the report is complete, we will deal with it appropriately."

Beering did not comment on the university's recent decision not to renew Mason's contract, but he said the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs will continue to have full support, and he expects a national search for a new director to be under way by early fall.

The draft contains a wide variety of data, subjective commentary and recommendations. Among these are:

Purdue has the highest graduation rates for African-American and Asian-American students of any Indiana public institution.
Formal minority student programs exist throughout the institution; funding and staffing for these programs varies widely, and directors generally would like to have greater funding and administrative support.
Of 647 students surveyed, a large majority are open to the concept of diversity, but most do not believe the West Lafayette campus has achieved a positive climate for diversity.
Black students experience a predominantly white campus differently from other groups; many minority students often feel isolated in the community.
There is a need to recruit and hire larger numbers of minority faculty and staff.

Two campus units -- the university police and the residence halls -- received high marks for a strong commitment to diversity and their implementation of programs.

Copies of the draft were provided to news media Friday and will be available in the Office of Human Relations, 241 Hovde Hall.

Sources: Steven C. Beering, (765) 494-9708
Joseph L. Bennett, vice president for university relations, (765) 494-2082; e-mail, joe_bennett@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: If you want a copy of the 128-page draft of the report, contact Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2096.

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