Posted by: Chris Heller in News, Vox Populi, tags: Academic Working Group, Academics, Admissions, Admissions Working Group, African American Studies, Diversity, Diversity Requirement, Diversity Working Groups, James O'Donnell, John DeGioia, Student Life Working Group
In an email sent to the Georgetown community on Tuesday, President John DeGioia and Provost James O’Donnell gave some updates about the University’s Diversity and Inclusiveness Initiative.
Last year, faculty, student, and staff working groups recommended a variety of methods to increase diversity on campus, which the University began to adopt during the spring semester. This most recent email outlines Georgetown’s plan to continue promoting “community in diversity.”
After the jump, we’ve listed their updates and the full email.
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Georgetown’s Diversity Initiative working groups have made their verdicts—change should come to the Hilltop.
Last night, Provost James O’Donnell sent out an e-mail that listed the recommendations of the Academic, Student Life, Admissions and Recruitment working groups. This year, the three groups were tasked by President John DeGioia to “develop recommendations about how Georgetown can strength our approach to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive undergraduate community.”
Out of all the suggestions, highlights include the establishment of an oft-debated diversity requirement, offering a major in African-American studies, a “Diversity Fellows” program, and a push to hire more minority faculty members.
Below, Vox has the complete rundown.
The Academic Working Group suggests:
- Creating a diversity requirement “as part of the General Education requirements for all undergraduates.”
- “[Increasing] the numbers of minority faculty throughout the University,” specifically targeting expansion within the departments of African-American studies, Hispanic/Latino studies, and Asian-American studies.
- Establishing an African-American studies major, to be “followed by” the development of Asian-American and Hispanic/Latino programs.
- A year-long colloquium that brings together “distinguished academics and intellectuals from within and outside our University to discuss and debate current best practices in the study of race, ethnicity, and culture.”
- Focus on “inclusive teaching and learning” by promoting current academic programs and opportunity within the University, such as the Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship
The Student Life Working Group suggests:
- Creating a Diversity Fellows program that would offer paid positions to student who are interested in “leading diversity and inclusion efforts in key administrative departments and student initiatives.”
- Expanding the “A Different Dialogue” program, which began in Spring 2010.
- Building a “diversity portal” on the University’s web page to provide the Georgetown community about diversity-related events and information.
After the jump, read the Admission Working Group’s recommendations, plus the complete e-mail.
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