Syracuse University is launching a series of initiatives aimed at improving diversity among students, faculty and staff.

Many of the initiatives, announced last week, fall in line with the recommendations outlined in a March report from SU Chancellor Kent Syverud’s Workgroup on Diversity and Inclusion.

The initiatives include making SU’s campus more accessible, hiring minorities to faculty positions and establishing a diversity and inclusion council to support a proposed chief diversity officer. Each of those were among the recommendations in the report.

The report suggested that short-term recommendations — which included the establishing of a diversity and inclusion council — be implemented by the end of the calendar year.

More details on each of the recommendations were outlined in a recently-released status report. Other recommendations in the process of being implemented include the establishing of an Ombuds office and strengthening the STOP BIAS reporting system.

Francine D’Amico, the co-chair of the Workgroup on Diversity and Inclusion and associate professor in the Maxwell School, said in an SU News release that SU still has “room to learn and grow” in creating a more diverse community.

“As we continue to evolve as a community, we must continue to take steps and implement processes that make the University welcoming and accessible to all people,” said D’Amico, who did not return a request for comment on this story, in the release.

The university has begun making progress on hiring more faculty members of color: According to the release, 31 of the 70 new full-time faculty members hired for the 2016-17 academic year are people of color.

“Diversity in our faculty is equally important as diversity in our student body,” said LaVonda Reed, associate provost for faculty affairs, in the release.  “As more students from underrepresented groups pursue higher education, it is mission-critical that our faculty and our staff reflect the changing demographics as well as support and inspire a new generation of students to effect change and shape social transformation and progress.”

Additionally, SU began improving accessibility on campus over the summer. The Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction upgraded facilities — including bathrooms and auditorium seating — to make them more accessible.

Pete Sala, SU vice president and chief facilities officer, said in the release that other similar upgrades will be made.

“While there is still much work to do, I am proud of what the team has accomplished thus far and I look forward to continued collaboration as we collectively work to improve access for all,” he said.

Also in the release, Syverud said that he is “committed to bringing these short-term recommendations to life.”

“Diversity is critical to 21st-century success,” Syverud said in the release. “The strength of this university, as a whole, comes from embracing the unique talents, history and perspective of every individual on this campus.”

Published on August 30, 2016 at 11:17 pm

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