See the web page
at:
http://orpheus.tamu.edu/fcic/positions.html
Texas A&M Faculty Concerned for an
Inclusive Campus posts website Feb. 9, 2004, following is an archive of the initial
statement:
FCIC Positions on Diversity at TAMU
Faculty Committed to an
Inclusive Campus (FCIC) is a group of faculty at Texas A&M University that seeks to increase diversity
at TAMU and make our campus a welcoming environment for everyone. FCIC has a broad vision of diversity
which includes race, class, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and identity, religion, geographic
origin, age, and disability. We appreciate the opportunity to state our views at this meeting and
would like to present the following statement.
1. We urge President Gates to reverse
his stated policy on admissions and consider race and ethnicity as central factors in admissions as
well as in recruitment and financial decisions. On the matter of admissions, FCIC believes that the
current policy will not increase the student diversity at TAMU. The University of Texas is already far
more diverse than TAMU, has a much better reputation for being welcoming to minorities, and will be
considering race and ethnicity in their admissions procedure. In this context, how can TAMU expect to
compete for minority students? TAMU must consider race and ethnicity in admissions.
2.
Admissions is only one part of this issue, and we urge the President to adopt a comprehensive plan for
increasing diversity on campus.
A. Reallocate the funding from the Reinvestment Faculty
Hiring Program to target 25% of the new positions to candidates from under-represented groups,
including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered faculty.
Include in the reallocation funding to create or bolster academic programs that specifically address
diversity concerns—an academic program in Race and Ethnic Studies, an expanded Women’s Studies Program,
and a program in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Studies.
B. Create clear
goals and timetables for increasing diversity. Increase the presence of under-represented groups among
the faculty and staff to 20% by 2007. Increase the presence of under-represented groups among the
student population to 20% by 2007 and to 25% by 2010.
C. Create scholarships and
financial aid programs whose criteria explicitly consider race and ethnicity. This should include a
Youth Scholars Program modeled after the one at The Ohio State University which will nurture young,
talented, underprivileged children from the ninth grade forward and encourage them to attend TAMU.
D. Review the mission statements and effectiveness of The Department of Multicultural
Services and the Race and Ethnic Studies Institute and consider placing all existing diversity
organization on campus under a well-funded Center for Diversity. The Center’s mission would include
student support programs, research on campus diversity, and outreach. Its activities should include the
following.
Establish a university-wide Diversity Campaign designed to make awareness of
diversity issues an element of every part of the TAMU education from Fish Camp to Graduation Day. The
task force that runs this campaign should model some of its programs on those of the current Academic
Integrity Task Force and should establish a Code of Conduct with regards to diversity.
Create a widely publicized and well-funded office to investigate incidents of discrimination and
harassment directed at under-represented groups.
Create an aggressive campaign targeted
at both TAMU and Texas as a whole to promote a “New Aggie Spirit” that is appreciative of diversity in
all of its manifestations.
Work with the Faculty Senate to review and strengthen the
current diversity requirement in the TAMU core curriculum.
3. FCIC feels it is essential
that the administration understands that the diversity issues that TAMU faces are structural as well
as cultural and must be addressed through policy changes and substantial funding. We urge President
Gates to consult with FCIC in general and under-represented faculty and students in particular to craft
new policies and make this campus a diverse and welcoming campus for
everyone.
Texas Civil Rights Review 