University can't find definition of 'diversity'

The University community lacks a universal definition of diversity, campus officials said Wednesday.

And until it has one, solving many of the problems UNC faces will prove difficult.

Members of the Chancellor’s Task Force on Diversity met Wednesday to discuss the findings of a campuswide study on the topic, completed early this month.

They came together after a week of intense scrutiny from three subcommittees. Ultimately, they decided that differing ideas on diversity make talk more difficult.

“I don’t know that we are going to come away with a satisfactory answer,” said Charles Daye, Henry Brandis Professor in the School of Law. “I am worried about a discussion of diversity without an anchor.”

During the full task force meeting, the student, faculty and staff subcommittees presented their findings and recommendations for further investigation of various issues.

As the meeting progressed, members noticed underlying themes that emerged in all the groups.

They reported that the University embraces and celebrates diversity on campus.

But the student subcommittee noted that more should be done to promote interaction among groups.

“Presence is not enough,” said Sandra Hoeflich, associate dean for interdisciplinary education. “We need more opportunities for interaction.”

Subcommittees also reported that survey respondents had mixed feelings about UNC’s recruitment practices.

More than 60 percent of both students and faculty said the University makes sufficient efforts to recruit diverse communities — but that didn’t stop committees from making recommendations.

UNC should pay more attention to recruiting and retaining graduate and professional students, the subcommittee on students suggested, though it does a good job recruiting a diverse student body.

And the faculty committee said that while the University does well in recruiting a diverse staff, its retention efforts don’t reflect the same care. Citing a low level of diversity among tenured faculty, group members said a smaller percentage of faculty were pleased with retention.

The study also showed that most people surveyed said they are able to discuss diversity on campus.

More than 70 percent of staff members said they are comfortable discussing diversity in the workplace, while only 13 percent said they aren’t.

But members of the staff subcommittee said they think more can be done to increase comfort levels.

“In the focus groups, people talked about new approaches,” said Victor Schoenbach, a professor of epidemiology. “It was important to take novel approaches … to appeal to people.”

The survey questions were based on five core values determined by the task force in December: vision and commitment to diversity, the presence of diversity, educational benefits of diversity, responsible interactions and a supportive climate.

Archie Ervin, director of the Office for Minority Affairs, said he was pleased with the connections the group made during the meeting, and he encouraged task force members to continue examining the issue. The task force will meet again April 13, and Ervin said he hopes the group will put together a report it can deliver to Chancellor James Moeser by April 29.

“At some point, we will have to make a valid effort to put this together.”

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.