March 6, 2009

New initiatives emphasize University’s commitment to diversity goals

Efforts began in November with the development of a new senior administrative position — vice provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer. Carolyn Johnson, director of Purdue's Diversity
Resource Office, is serving in an interim capacity while a national search is being conducted. Margaret Rowe, professor of English, is chair of the search committee.

"Purdue needed to have strong, visible and vocal leadership to support our diversity efforts," says Provost Randy Woodson. "The real discussion came in how to structure this position in a way to be most supportive of the whole university."

The VPDI will serve as a member of the president's cabinet and report to the provost. Responsibilities
will include working collaboratively with campus leaders on diversity efforts, coordinating diversity activities across campus, addressing the diversity goals stated in the strategic plan, and overseeing the Diversity Resource Office, ethnic cultural centers and their programs and the Women’s Resource Office.

In addition, the VPDI will serve on a new Diversity Council, chaired by President France A. Córdova.

One of Johnson's first tasks as interim VPDI was to organize a diversity summit, which was held Thursday. The theme was "Invigorating our Core Commitments."

The summit served as an opportunity for people who work in or have interest in diversity to discuss and analyze the full spectrum of what is happening on campus in terms of diversity as well as to decide what priorities should be going forward, Johnson says.

Johnson anticipates holding additional summits, and conversation groups will be held after the summits to promote further discussion. Other upcoming diversity initiatives include the creation of a campuswide diversity working group, development of new diversity-oriented scholarships and assessment of educational efforts sponsored through the Office of the Provost.

"For four or five years, we've sponsored a number of gender and multicultural workshops to try to help faculty and staff learn more about our diversity initiatives and what it takes for us to be a more inclusive environment," Woodson says. "These workshops have helped to create an environment of increased awareness and sensitivity to multicultural and gender issues. We are currently assessing strategies to support our ongoing efforts to foster diversity and inclusiveness at Purdue."

There will also be a Student Conference on Diversity on March 24-25. The theme is "Intersections."