DIVERSITY IN THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY AND THE WORKPLACE
Recently, the Purdue University Faculty Senate passed the following resolution on Diversity:
Whereas, current events occurring across universities in the country-including the student rally held at Purdue University on November 13th of this year-
And whereas, one of the primary functions of the University Senate is to provide leadership on behalf of the university community,
Be it resolved that the University Senate release the following public statement in support of diversity and equity practices at Purdue University:
Given the recent events at Purdue University, the University of Missouri, and Yale University, this is a time to affirm that we must all work together against any act of discrimination or institutionalized oppressive practices, which could obstruct our growth as a university community. The Purdue University Senate wishes to reaffirm our commitment to embracing and celebrating diversity in all of its forms, and we will continue to work actively with the University Administration and campus organizations to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, valued, safe and respected in our university community.
There was also a link circulated by the Chair of the Faculty Senate Equity and Diversity Committee. This is a student-created blog on which individuals can express their opinions and describe their experiences concerning diversity both in the community and within the University. That link is here: https://shareyournarrativeblog.wordpress.com/
Discuss the below:
President Daniels also issued the following statement:https://www.purdue.edu/president/email/2015/151111-statement-of-values.html
Here are also some links to related issues in the national news:
1) From the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/11/13/purdue-pres-mitch-daniels-calls-school-proud-contrast-to-missouri-and-yale-despite-own-history-of-unrest/
2) From the Wall Street Journal: https://guides.wsj.com/management/building-a-workplace-culture/how-to-increase-workplace-diversity/
Q: This is an open discussion in class in which I would like you to describe and discuss your experiences with issues concerning diversity in your time at Purdue. Sometimes, diversity is discussed as only pertaining to African Americans and Women. However, diversity is broader and certainly includes more individual characteristics (e.g. ethnicity, culture, language, sexual orientation, life situations such as single parent, etc.) as well as protected group characteristics under US Federal Law ("Sex; National Origin; Race; Religion; Color; Age; Disability").
While you may focus this Discussion Question primarily on issues most important to you, here are some suggested questions you might answer. Please be sure to include the first two, and the last two questions, in addition to any other issues on diversity that you think are important:
1) What do you think about the Purdue University Faculty Senate's resolution?
2) What do you think about the student "shareyournarrative" blog noted above? (E.g. Do the students ask too much of the University? Do they ask too little of the University?)
3) What have your experiences been concerning Diversity on Campus and/or at work (internships or full time employment)?
4) What (if anything) could have improved those experiences?
5) What can we do to improve Diversity at work? What are the costs and benefits to organizations that have Diversity Programs?
6) What can we do to improve Diversity on Campus?
7) In general, how should we define "Diversity"?