History of Diversity Initiatives at USF

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One University initiative was undertaken in the past that bears similarity to the proposed Diversity Change Process. In 1995, under the direction of former President Betty Castor, the University started a five-year diversity action planning and implementation process call the Diversity 2000 Strategic Planning Program. "The overall goal was to foster a learning community of shared vision and values where differences are valued, and where all individuals can reach their full potential" (Office of Diversity Initiative, 1996).

The planning program began in March 1995 and encompassed an implementation schedule that continued until the year 2000. The process was broken down into vice presidential areas and units, whereby each area was asked to develop comprehensive diversity action plans for the five-year period.

The process included unit organizational diversity profiles that determined strengths and weakness regarding representation of individuals from underrepresented groups; that examined all areas of effort within each unit (such as instruction, research, support services, grants, etc.) in light of needs associated with diversity and pluralism; and explored each unit's climate to determine the extent of their hospitality to all forms of diversity. Following the profile review, each planning group built on existing strengths and weaknesses by developing goals, strategies, and timetables for enhancing diversity, interactive pluralism and community in their respective areas.

By August 1997, diversity plans were developed for each vice presidential area and the respective units, and these plans remain on file within the Office on Diversity (Digest of Summary Plans, 1997, Feb.). Since that time, it is unknown how much was done by departments to follow through on their diversity plans. Limited data are available, and no summary report exists to report on the outcomes of this effort.

Other Diversity Studies and Initiatives

Other efforts to examine or foster diversity on campus include a limited and disparate mix of small research studies including several that examine disparities in salary equity (conducted in the mid- to late-1990s), and a recent but limited study conducted in 2000 to examine the status of equal opportunity at USF (Wajeeh, 2000). All of these reports are being reviewed and incorporated into the 2002 Campus Climate Survey and the Office on Diversity's current efforts to make diversity change an ongoing and successful effort.

Reference List

Micceri, T. & Frenzel, K. (1999, April). An Analysis of USF Faculty Salaries by Sex - Including 1999 Equity Adjustments. Retrieved July 2002, from http://usfweb.usf.edu/bpa/oir/studies.htm.

Office of Diversity Initiatives. (1996, March 11). Diversity 2000 strategic planning program: Guidelines for developing strategic action plans for vice presidential areas and their units. Retrieved July 2002, from http://usfweb.usf.edu/divinit/diveguide.htm.

Office of Diversity Initiatives. (1997, Feb.). Diversity 2000 planning program: Digest of summary plans.

Wajeeh, E.M. (2000, July). Status of equal opportunity survey. Retrieved July 2002, from http://usfweb.usf.edu/bpa/oir/studies.htm.

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