Dear Clemson:
Over the past several months, Clemson University has experienced many challenges that could have deeply divided this campus. But because of the way our students, faculty and staff responded to each incident, whether it was criticism about the choice of summer reading material, an off-campus “gangsta” party, or the publication of materials that offended some members of our community in university media, we have become stronger as a result. We have managed to navigate some rough waters and yet maintain our firm commitment to core values, such as faculty control of curriculum, diversity, and freedom of speech.
It has become clear to me, however, that we can and should do more to become a community that more closely reflects the true diversity of the state in which we live.
This is not new territory for us. We have many excellent programs, some of which are national models. These include:
- The National Conference on Best Practices in Black Student Achievement and The Charles H. Houston Center for the Study of the Black Experience in Education.
- The “Call Me MISTER” program, which is successfully addressing the shortage of African American males in the teaching profession.
- The Gantt Intercultural Center, the President’s Council on Community and Diversity, and the President’s Commission on the Status of Black Faculty and Staff.
- Academic Outreach Programs and PEER (Program for Educational Enrichment and Retention).
And yet, despite these positive efforts, we are not making as much progress as we would like on minority enrollment and other metrics. The “gansta” party shined a light on this reality, and we are responding.
Our first step was to review initiatives already under consideration and accelerate the timetable. A task force appointed last year has made a number of bold recommendations, and the following will be implemented:
- Develop a comprehensive diversity plan with specific objectives for action on student admissions, faculty and staff hiring, and promoting a climate of inclusion.
- Complete an organizational study to address multicultural affairs.
- Increase international affairs and diversity education staffing and programming in Student Affairs.
- Add core values training (including the value of diversity and respect for others) to freshman orientation, beginning this summer.
Many other ideas emerged from listening sessions, meetings and public forums held after the party. I have sought counsel from state and national civil rights leaders as well as alumni, faculty, staff and students. Work groups are being organized to study all of the suggestions and make recommendations about which ones will enhance the educational experience, improve communication with minority communities, and not duplicate existing programs and activities.
We are already moving forward on several suggestions. For example, we will:
- add core values training to CU101 courses beginning in the fall
- bring more speakers to campus to discuss diversity-related topics.
- hold monthly dialogue circles to continue the good discussions that these issues have generated.
We believe these actions are the right things to do, and they will also make us a stronger, more inclusive university as a result.
Sincerely,
James F. Barker, FAIA
President