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The Daily OrangeSU lacking a diverse faculty
By Timeka Williams
Posted: 3/5/08, 12:19 AM EST Section: Opinion
Five years ago the Syracuse University Magazine stated that SU recognized the lack of diversity in faculty and was on its way to creating a plan to make a change. Flash forward to half a decade later and the story is still the same.
While administration has professed the goal of creating a diverse campus, they are not basing their objectives on statistics.
"A number is not telling you the story of all the complicated pieces that went together," said Karen Alston, associate provost for academic affairs. "Sometimes it's because we have been very successful with our faculty of color that other people have come and tried to steal them away. That's just the story of how resources flow."
Of course, with statistics showing a faculty about as diverse as the artists on the country music billboard charts, it's easy understood why the folks upstairs aren't too fond of numbers. Nearly 80 percent of full-time faculty are white, according to a 2006-2007 report from the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment. There are a few specs of color, but not enough to show a push for true diversity.
It's encouraging to see at least one professor throughout the day, one who looks back at me and actually shares my race. However, the affect that a lack of diversity has on the education aspect is my top concern.
An education enriched with diversity is particularly critical in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. We all know the spiel about what can happen when media students are not carefully trained on ethnic diversity and the sensitivity that goes hand-in-hand with reporting on racially charged, controversial issues.
After all, it was only a few years ago when students tuned into jokes about lynching on the Quad on the campus-run Hill TV. This incident was more than a red flag to administration; it was a flaming red semi truck.
Ann Hettinger, an adjunct professor who was teaching at Newhouse during the time of the Hill TV incident, recognizes the importance of diversity training and incorporates it into her classes.
While administration has professed the goal of creating a diverse campus, they are not basing their objectives on statistics.
"A number is not telling you the story of all the complicated pieces that went together," said Karen Alston, associate provost for academic affairs. "Sometimes it's because we have been very successful with our faculty of color that other people have come and tried to steal them away. That's just the story of how resources flow."
Of course, with statistics showing a faculty about as diverse as the artists on the country music billboard charts, it's easy understood why the folks upstairs aren't too fond of numbers. Nearly 80 percent of full-time faculty are white, according to a 2006-2007 report from the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment. There are a few specs of color, but not enough to show a push for true diversity.
It's encouraging to see at least one professor throughout the day, one who looks back at me and actually shares my race. However, the affect that a lack of diversity has on the education aspect is my top concern.
An education enriched with diversity is particularly critical in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. We all know the spiel about what can happen when media students are not carefully trained on ethnic diversity and the sensitivity that goes hand-in-hand with reporting on racially charged, controversial issues.
After all, it was only a few years ago when students tuned into jokes about lynching on the Quad on the campus-run Hill TV. This incident was more than a red flag to administration; it was a flaming red semi truck.
Ann Hettinger, an adjunct professor who was teaching at Newhouse during the time of the Hill TV incident, recognizes the importance of diversity training and incorporates it into her classes.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Norquist
posted 3/05/08 @ 5:05 AM EST
The three largest newspapers and the Internet site al.com in Alabama are all operated by Newhouse Publications which is owned by media giant Advance Publications, Inc. (Continued…)
The coward
posted 3/05/08 @ 10:24 AM EST
Good to see the use of HillTV as an anchor for a diversity column is alive and well.
-Coward West
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