Fostering
Diversity
Penn State Intercom......July
26, 2001
Commission to explore
'enhanced mandate'
By Julie A. Brink
Public Information
John Tippeconnic III, professor of education and director of the American Indian Leadership Program, is taking over the reins of the Commission on Racial/Ethic Diversity (CORED) during a pivotal point in its history.
This past spring, students angered by hate mail and death threats to black students staged a rally and occupied the HUB-Robeson Center for several days. Out of that occupation came the endorsement by University administrators and members of the student Black Caucus of a broad diversity plan for the institution. In part, the plan stated: "The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity will be given an enhanced mandate to review and advise on diversity plans." The plan also recommends increasing student commission members from four to six.
Being the commission chair as it explores an "enhanced mandate" will be a challenge, Tippeconnic said, but a "good challenge to help move the commission forward and to make it more active than it has been in years past."
CORED has been around since 1989 when it was instituted by then-President Bryce Jordan. It advises the University president on issues on all matters that relate to ethnic and cultural diversity on all campuses. The commission of about 30 members deliberates on issues, evaluates programs and identifies areas where policies need to be revised as well as recommending diversity initiatives. The commission chair has a term of one year.
Alicia Bunnell, contracts negotiator in the Office of Sponsored Programs, is the outgoing commission chair and has worked closely with Tippeconnic as the commission has addressed issues regarding implementing the framework.
"John's a team player, and as a tenured faculty member
and director of American Indian Leadership Program, he brings to the commission several strengths," she said. "He has good insights as to how the University system works and how to get things done."
The new chair-elect, Lourdes Diaz Soto, also looks forward to working with Tippeconnic.
The commission has revised its bylaws, redefined its focus and re-engaged into a proactive mode.
Tippeconnic said CORED is committed to and has endorsed the diversity enhancement plan that came out of the HUB occupation in May. CORED met with President Graham B. Spanier in mid-June to set the groundwork for the commission's enhanced mandate. Tippeconnic termed the meeting "productive and a good exchange about CORED'S enhanced role."
As the new chair, Tippeconnic looks forward to the commission taking a more proactive stance. He wants to see increased interaction and communication with students and student organizations, faculty, staff and alumni.
"We hope that the overall purpose of CORED will be enhanced, including communication and interaction with the president," he said. "We'll be more active and, hopefully, called upon to advise the president more."
To build upon what happened last spring, outstanding issues need to be dealt with.
"The hate mail and issues of safety need to be continually evaluated and addressed," he said. "The overall plan to enhance diversity represents a beginning. We don't see it as a plan that once implemented is going to solve everything. We endorse what took place and support the increase in support for the African-American studies department, the establishment of an Africana Research Center and the other actions contained in the plan. However, we see the plan as a start that will continue as the needs of other ethnic groups are addressed. We are concerned about the inclusiveness of all groups."
Tippeconnic cited the "Framework to Foster Diversity at Penn State: 1998-2003," the University's five-year plan for improving the diversity environment on campus.
"It's not a bad plan, there are good challenges and goals in the plan," he said, urging more accountability for failure to address the goals. "We should hold different entities accountable, with rewards for those who do a good job implementing the plan promoting diversity and sanctions for those who don't."
For several years, the commission has emphasized the recruitment and retention of minority faculty; the commission plans to continue with this issue.
"I'm concerned that Penn State is not making significant progress," Tippeconnic said. "Over the years we have hired as many faculty of color as we have lost. We need better ways to hire, promote and retain them."
Tippeconnic listed four reasons that he believed are preventing the University from reaching that goal. In some cases, minority faculty members are the only people of color in their department.
"It can be difficult if they are alone without a support system," he said.
In other cases, their research, teaching and service may not be valued by departments, colleagues, peers and promotion and tenure committees.
"For example, faculty of color may not be published in the types journals others see as important," he said.
Thirdly, Tippeconnic cited the environment. Central Pennsylvania does not have a diverse population and faculty of color may not feel a sense of community here. The last reason is that minority faculty get better job offers and move on, he said.
Tippeconnic suggested hiring new faculty of color in clusters in a department, which would provide an instant support group for them. "We can't address the issue of faculty retainment in isolation," he said. "More faculty of color will bring in students of color. We need to go after the both faculty and students and provide support for them."
CORED "has to take a hard look at recruitment and retention," according to Terrell Jones, vice provost for educational equity. He said the commission goals dovetail very well with the University's diversity plan.
"Several of these challenges are very specific and speak to the goals and missions of CORED," Jones said of the disparity between majority and minority faculty and staff retention. "We must do more to create an environment that is accepting. All of those are clearly things the commission is working on."
Tippeconnic said he was optimistic about the future of racial and ethnic diversity at Penn State, but that he would like to see fragmented segments of University working together.
"There are a number of activities on campus that address diversity. Good people are connected to these programs and activities," he said. "They have experience, knowledge and wisdom that we need to take advantage of to improve diversity at Penn State."
Julie A. Brink can be reached at jab81@psu.edu.