Diversity Forum Follow Up

(Gender, Diversity, and Leadership Panel: Outstanding Women of Color)

Participants: Dr. Seema Kapani, Dr. Alberta Gloria, Dr. Idella Yamben, Dr. Patty Loew
(moderator)

This panel produced a dynamic discussion with lots of audience participation. Attendees raised a
number of concerns about the challenges of promoting diversity on campus, but also had
concrete proposals about how to improve climate. Here is a summary of those proposals:

1) Personal responsibility. Attendees agreed that an improved climate begins at the

individual level. Audience members felt strongly that each of us needs to invest some
“cultural capital” and be willing to listen to faculty, staff, and students of color. Do what
we can personally to mitigate the isolation and help the person who is struggling.

2) Change the dynamics of the hiring process. Create relationships before jobs open in order
to expand the applicant pool. Appoint people of color to selection committees. Avoid
“Good-Old-Boy” networking within selection committees.

3) Create financial incentives for departments or units that are successful models of
diversity.

4) Be equitable in the allocation of resources and tolerant of cultural and religious

differences (a story was shared with the audience about a Muslim scientist, who, wearing
a headscarf in accordance with Hijab, was told by a PI to remove her veil or people
would think she was a “terrorist”).

5) Create a “safe” and effective place for sharing stories related to diversity (this helps ease
feelings of isolation and “I-don’t-really-matter”).

6) Strengthen the ombudsman’s office. Several people talked about the need to give the
office some “teeth.”

7) Improve mentoring opportunities for faculty, staff, and students of color.

8) Imbed diversity issues into the curriculum.

9) Create a newsletter within the office of the Vice Provost for Diversity and Climate.

10) Support strategies to enhance the social life of faculty, staff, and students of color.