News: Top story

UW looks to further diversity after end of Plan 2008

University officials work towards future, broader initiatives

Looking for a print version?
Simply use your browser’s ‘Print’ command and a printer-friendly document will be generated automatically.

Related stories:

• UW evaluates diversity plan (April 21, 2009)
• Initiatives continue to push diversity (September 9, 2004)
• The future of diversity (December 8, 2008)
• Spear to bring diversity (January 17, 2003)

Also by Signe Brewster:

• Top recommended MIU proposals see scrutiny (February 3, 2010)
• UHS complaints reveal top concerns (January 17, 2010)
• Individuals cleared by DNA tests in ongoing case against Sigma Chi chapter (January 17, 2010)
• H1N1 phone advice causes trouble for some students (December 9, 2009)
• Student paper sues UW-Milwaukee (November 12, 2009)

Sharing tools:

E-mail this article:

Your e-mail address:

Recipient e-mail address:

Optional message:

Share on:

• Facebook
• Digg
• Newsvine
• reddit
• StumbleUpon
• delicious
• Google
• Yahoo! My Web
• BlogMarks
• Linkroll
• Simpy

• Spurl
• Connotea
• Fark
• Feed Me Links

• Magnolia
• BlinkList
• Sphere
• LinkedIn

• Furl
• Technorati
• AddToAny
• Permalink

With last fall marking the end of Plan 2008 and another diversity initiative on the horizon, a University of Wisconsin leader called for “inclusive excellence” on campus Thursday to pursue diversity in the coming years.

Under an inclusive excellence agenda, the university will leave behind its statistical measurement of diversity and instead push to integrate diversity into learning, according to Damon Williams, vice provost for diversity and climate.

“Diversity is not an ends in terms of head count, but diversity is fundamentally and essentially a means to the fulfillment of our missions,” Williams said in a statement.

Williams spoke at a reception Thursday of UW System campus diversity leaders about the future of diversity at UW.

He also presented the second draft of his strategic framework for the transition from Plan 2008 to future initiatives. The draft lays out the method to put inclusive excellence into action.

“He is really trying to be intentional and figure out what things worked well and should be replicated or enhanced and continued,” said UW spokesperson John Lucas. “He’s trying to find other ways we should focus our limited time and efforts to put toward diversity.”

Carole Kolb, a program and research associate in Williams’ office, said Williams is intentionally pursuing defining diversity in a broader sense. She said this is a sharp contrast to Plan 2008, which was focused on racial diversity.

Steven Olikara, Associated Students of Madison Diversity Committee chair and also a speaker at the reception, said the event was an important step in facilitating cooperation among campus groups working to gain greater diversity on campus.

He said he was encouraged to hear many of the points he made echoed in Williams’ speech.

“If we can work together as partners with all the different campus leaders … the potential is enormous,” Olikara said. “Diversity represents how broad the intellectual scope of the university is so it’s not focused on achieving statistics. It’s about how we can build the foundations of an environment that organically promotes the exchange of ideas.”

Olikara emphasized a need to see diversity initiatives reflected in every institution on campus, which can only be achieved through an expansion of what diversity includes.

He said contact with students has shown there is a campus push toward this broader definition.

“Students want an inclusive, open-minded campus,” Olikara said. “I truly envision initiatives that aren’t focused on race and statistics. In an inclusive vision, we have to consider all aspects of ones character and that means looking at each person’s unique … perspective and seeking open-minded people who will synergize these ideas.”

While plans for a new diversity initiative are not likely to be announced for several months, Kolb said Williams currently has several projects in the works.

These include the creation of a database of the different groups, initiatives working toward greater diversity on campus and the appointment of diversity affiliates who would work on different projects for Williams’ office.

Williams was not available for comment as of press time.