Commitment to Diversity
Diversity Action Council
Diverity Task Force
Diversity Initiatives
Commitment to Diversity
The University is committed to creating an educational community that is intellectually, culturally and socially diverse, enriched by the contributions and full participation of persons from many different backgrounds. As part of this ongoing effort, a Diversity Action Council has been appointed by the president to implement immediate, medium- and long-term action steps so that the University can continue to put into action critical equality and diversity recommendations from the Diversity Task Force final report. In addition, the University Council on Student Diversity and Success is focused on enhancing diversity among students and supporting their academic success, as well as their intellectual, cultural and ethical development as citizens, scholars and professionals.
Diversity Action Council
The Diversity Action Council was convened by President Harker to operationalize the Diversity Task Force's recommendations. The Diversity Task Force Report recommendations call for specific actions centered around four broad goals:
Chairing the Diversity Action Council are Tom Apple, provost, and J.J. Davis, vice president for administration. Council members are Margaret Andersen, David Brond, Araya Debessay, Erica Armstrong Dunbar, Michael Gilbert, Lou Hirsh, Edgar Johnson, James Jones, J.P. Laurenceau, Debra Hess Norris, Larry Peterson, Monika Shafi, John Xiao and Patricia Wilson, ex officio.
The council is developing specific actions and strategies to meet a number of short- and medium-term goals.
Diversity Task Force Final Report (Download PDF)
The Diversity Task Force, appointed by President Harker in the spring of 2008, has completed its work and presents its report. In the process of developing our recommendations, we met and talked with many people on our campus and in the surrounding community. Our report is informed by the many discussions we had with you.
We sincerely thank all of those who shared their ideas with us. Although a report like this cannot include every good idea we heard, we hope that the report--and the action that follows it--will continue to engage the campus community in this important discussion and will inspire the actions needed to enhance diversity at the University of Delaware.
The University’s commitment to promoting diversity in all aspects of its operations should be a collective effort, and it is our hope that all members of the University community will support the implementation of the recommendations we have made.
Margaret Andersen, Sociology
Araya Debessay, Accounting
Co-chairs, Diversity Task Force
