Initiative views diversity as source of strength

As one of the presidential initiatives adopted at Portland State University in 1999, the Diversity Action Council was formed to develop a diversity plan that addresses four main goals.

• Enhance the institutional curriculum, and scholarship.
• Increase the number of students from underrepresented groups.
• Increase the number of faculty, classified staff, and administrators from underrepresented groups.
• Strengthen connections with diverse communities in the region.

The council has drafted a plan that identifies what actions are necessary to meet these goals, but has deliberately avoided prescribing how they should be implemented by academic units or administrators. The council expects the creativity, capacity, and commitment of those involved in specific areas will help to give the plan an explicit focus, with diverse results.

• For more information, view the university's Diversity Action Plan.

Large scope draws upon groups across campus

The suggested diversity plan for the university is a large endeavor, and many other groups are involved, including the Center for Academic Excellence, Affirmative Action, University Studies, and student groups across campus. A minority recruitment director is now part of the PSU Admissions office to help reach a diverse population of prospective students. The Diversity Action Council provides consultation, referrals, and assistance as needed.

The Affirmative Action office works closely with departments across campus to help in the hiring process, develop ways to reach out to more diverse populations in the search process, and create a supportive environment and interview process for all individuals. The President's Office also demonstrates its commitment to increasing the diversity of faculty by offering to pay a percentage of salary of any new faculty hired from an underrepresented group on campus.

Reaching out to diverse communities has also been integrated in community-based learning and Senior Capstone courses. Outreach is also evident among diverse student groups, which play a significant role in helping current and entering students feel more welcome, and also foster ties to the diverse communities they represent.