Task Force Charged With Diversity Plan

“A Diversity Plan is really necessary for UK, which has been behind with all of these issues. We haven’t developed a consistent plan that incorporates all types of diverse groups for all students, faculty and staff. It’s good to benchmark ourselves, but each university is unique and that personal growth factor is important.”

-- Jeannine Blackwell,
dean,
The Graduate School,
University of Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 21, 2005) -- In line with the University of Kentucky’s strategic goal of nurturing diversity of thought, culture, gender and ethnicity, a Diversity Task Force has been created and charged with the development of a comprehensive, university-wide Diversity Plan.

“This effort gives us the opportunity to dig deeper into the strategic plan,” said UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. “For us to be the flagship university, we have to serve as an example for diversity in a state that hasn't always embraced diversity.”

In 2004 a campus climate survey was conducted to assess the openness of diversity on campus as well as students’ satisfaction with the overall UK experience. The survey found a need to promote greater openness to diversity, create a more cohesive campus community, and be more mindful of the climate within the classroom.

Based on these results and a necessity to further advance the strategic plan, the Diversity Task Force was created. The objective of the task force is to seek to develop a university model to improve the climate for diversity and create a diverse workplace and learning community.

“We have had a lot of diversity efforts and initiatives on campus, but they haven’t been connected and integrated enough to show the impact of what a university can accomplish,” said Provost Michael T. Nietzel.

The Task Force, comprised of deans, staff and student representatives, will be monitored by the vice president for institutional research, planning and effectiveness, the vice president for university initiatives, and associate provost for multicultural affairs, along with the President’s Commission on Diversity.

Work began on the Diversity Plan when the task force met for an all-day, off-site meeting Jan. 7. The goal is for the task force to present a comprehensive Diversity Plan April 1.

“A Diversity Plan is really necessary for UK, which has been behind with all of these issues,” said Jeannine Blackwell, dean of The Graduate School. “We haven’t developed a consistent plan that incorporates all types of diverse groups for all students, faculty and staff. It’s good to benchmark ourselves, but each university is unique and that personal growth factor is important.”

In addition to creating a Diversity Plan for the university, the monitoring groups will submit an annual report to the president and will work with various areas on campus to revise their plans as needed.

“The work of the Diversity Task Force doesn't end with the creation of the Diversity Plan. In order to truly accomplish a diverse and inclusive campus community, a shift in culture is needed,” said Deneese Jones, associate professor in the College of Education and chair of the President’s Commission on Diversity. “Equity and excellence mean a valuing and appreciation of inclusion and that is what we are ultimately striving to accomplish.”

For more information on the Diversity Task Force and the President’s Commission on Diversity, visit the Web site .