Acting on the initial set of recommendations of a report from a systemwide task force, the University of California Board of Regents affirmed today (Sept. 19) the centrality of diversity to the University’s mission and the need for improvements in this area.

The report summarizes the core findings and resulting policy recommendations that emerged from the Study Group on University Diversity, a body established in fall 2006 by President Robert C. Dynes and then-board chair Gerald L. Parsky to examine the current state of diversity at UC and identify actions that the University should take to improve diversity.

Following 10 months of analysis, data gathering and discussion examining the whole spectrum of the institution, including undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and campus climate, the study group identified three key principles and policy recommendations adopted today by the Regents’ educational policy committee. The full board will ratify the committee’s action tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 20.

The report affirms that diversity is fundamental to UC’s ability to achieve its mission as a public institution, as well as to its quality and service to the state of California.

In keeping with that principle, the Regents adopted as UC policy a Diversity Statement, which reads in part: “Because the core mission of the University of California is to serve the interests of the State of California, it must seek to achieve diversity among its student bodies and among its employees.”

The statement, which concludes with a renewed commitment to fully realize the historic promise of UC as a pluralistic and inclusive institution, was previously approved by the Assembly of the Academic Senate and endorsed by the president.

The full statement is available at: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/regents/regmeet/sept07/re111attach.pdf.

“We have an obligation not only to serve all segments of California’s population but also to produce graduates who will function well as members and leaders of a state that has historically been characterized by robust diversity,” said Wyatt R. Hume, provost and executive vice president for academic health affairs for the UC system, who co-chaired the study group. “It is entirely appropriate for the University to send a single unified message on the value of diversity, and with the adoption of this statement, the Regents have done just that.”

The Regents also endorsed the report’s finding that “change is needed.” The study group found that, while there are many pockets of success and innovation in seeking and supporting diversity, the University as a whole has not made sufficient progress and needs to focus greater sustained attention in this area.

For example, the study group found that at virtually every level – from undergraduate, graduate and professional school students to postdoctoral researchers to faculty and staff– African Americans, Native Americans, Chicano-Latinos and, in many cases, women are not represented in sufficient numbers.

“The Regents are sending a clear message today that the status quo is not acceptable to us,” said Regent Parsky, a study group co-chair. “There is no question that the University faces many constraints in its efforts to increase diversity and improve campus climate. But it is imperative that we move forward in this endeavor rather than dwell on the obstacles.”

Upcoming reports from individual work teams charged by the study group to examine specific areas in greater detail are expected to provide more specific recommendations for change, while making sure the University continues to comply with Proposition 209 and other applicable state and federal laws.

To monitor progress and ensure accountability, the Regents also affirmed that clear, consistent and regularly produced data are necessary to “shine a light” on the University’s efforts to increase and support diversity.

To help achieve that goal, the Regents adopted a policy that will require the UC president to report annually on the status of diversity at the University. This report will address diversity among students, faculty and staff.

The Regents and the group’s co-chairs agreed the overview report represented a first step with more needed work to follow.

In the next few weeks, the individual work teams will issue their final reports. In October, the study group will publish a single, consolidated document reflecting the teams’ findings and recommendations.

To ensure that this work moves forward at a pace appropriate to its importance, Hume, on behalf of the president and in partnership with the campus chancellors and the Academic Senate, committed to creating a follow-up group to guide the continuing efforts of chancellors and others in enhancing diversity within the system.

The Study Group’s “Overview Report” is available at: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/2007/diversityreport0907.pdf