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Diversity Action Plan receives support, flak
President Ray asks for metrics by which to measure success of OSU in terms of change
Regi Seitz
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: News
The changing state of diversity at OSU has been a source of controversy over time. To combat this, a diversity action plan was created in 2006. However, the plan has been scrutinized for not taking enough action or adapting to current problems.
One of the goals of the diversity action plan was to create a campus environment that would allow the OSU community to prepare students, staff and faculty to be culturally respectful and understanding through exposure to diverse perspectives, lifestyles and experiences.
"One of the challenges with the plan is that a lot of people need help," said Terryl Ross, director of the Office of Community and Diversity. The Office of Community and Diversity puts on monthly workshops for the different teams working to improve the plan.
"Each department has a team and they work together to write and put the plan into action," said Diane Davis, the program coordinator for Community and Diversity on campus.
Teams working on the plan try to keep it up to date as well.
"We make constant revisions toward our goals for the plan," said Helene Serewis, executive assistant to the dean of Graduate School Administrations. "Every [team] is at a different level."
Serewis has attended various workshops and says they are a great place for assistance and sharing.
Monthly workshops include progress updates, submission of new ideas and training.
According to the plan, OSU will have one of the highest graduation rates for all student groups of any land grant university in the nation.
But critics of the plan say that it is only talk and lacks any real actions, suggesting that it is wasteful to rely on a vague action plan that leaves a lot up to interpretation. Others argue that instead of making minority differences matter less, the immense focus on diversity splinters the groups.
However the plan is meant to strengthen the performances and provide for a stronger campus climate. The plan strives to provide an effective recruitment program and an innovative campus infrastructure.
"We must provide metrics that illuminate where we stand and the type of challenges we face in creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment for all of us," said Ed Ray, OSU's president.
Regi Seitz, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
One of the goals of the diversity action plan was to create a campus environment that would allow the OSU community to prepare students, staff and faculty to be culturally respectful and understanding through exposure to diverse perspectives, lifestyles and experiences.
"One of the challenges with the plan is that a lot of people need help," said Terryl Ross, director of the Office of Community and Diversity. The Office of Community and Diversity puts on monthly workshops for the different teams working to improve the plan.
"Each department has a team and they work together to write and put the plan into action," said Diane Davis, the program coordinator for Community and Diversity on campus.
Teams working on the plan try to keep it up to date as well.
"We make constant revisions toward our goals for the plan," said Helene Serewis, executive assistant to the dean of Graduate School Administrations. "Every [team] is at a different level."
Serewis has attended various workshops and says they are a great place for assistance and sharing.
Monthly workshops include progress updates, submission of new ideas and training.
According to the plan, OSU will have one of the highest graduation rates for all student groups of any land grant university in the nation.
But critics of the plan say that it is only talk and lacks any real actions, suggesting that it is wasteful to rely on a vague action plan that leaves a lot up to interpretation. Others argue that instead of making minority differences matter less, the immense focus on diversity splinters the groups.
However the plan is meant to strengthen the performances and provide for a stronger campus climate. The plan strives to provide an effective recruitment program and an innovative campus infrastructure.
"We must provide metrics that illuminate where we stand and the type of challenges we face in creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment for all of us," said Ed Ray, OSU's president.
Regi Seitz, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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