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AROUND THE QUADS
Howard, Thomas Spearhead University Diversity Initiatives
The University and the College have announced two appointments
as part of the ongoing effort to promote a diverse and intellectually
vibrant community that is responsive to the world’s —
and Columbia’s — changing landscape.
Jean E. Howard, William E. Ransford Professor of
English, has been named to the new position of vice provost for
diversity initiatives. Her main task will be to lead University
efforts in substantially increasing the representation of traditionally
underrepresented groups on the faculty and in senior administration.
She also will promote scholarly initiatives aimed at understanding
diversity challenges in the 21st century’s global community.
“In making this appointment,” said President Lee C.
Bollinger, “Columbia reaffirms its commitment to promoting
intellectual excellence, recognizing that this goal can be realized
only if the University, in all of its aspects, reflects the diversity
of American society and of the complex world in which we live.”
A faculty member since 1988, Howard is a distinguished early modern
literature scholar and has received many awards, including a Guggenheim
Fellowship. She also is an experienced administrator and has served
on the University’s Academic Review Committee and on the executive
committee of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She chaired the Commission
on the Status of Women and was director of the Institute for Research
on Women and Gender.
To promote inclusion and diversity, an Office of Multicultural Affairs
has been created for the College and SEAS under the leadership of
Corlisse Thomas, associate dean of student affairs
and multicultural affairs.
“Issues of race and ethnicity are everyone’s issues,”
said Dean Austin Quigley. “We take enormous pride in our diversity
and the benefits it provides everyone. Knowing how to use diversity
as a resource requires a fundamental commitment on our part, and
we are making that commitment.”
The Office of Multicultural Affairs will spearhead efforts to enhance
the growing number of intercultural community programs, provide
diversity education, advise undergraduate cultural student org-
anizations and strengthen culturally-based mentoring programs “to
create a greater sense of community and improve the quality of life
for students at Columbia,” according to the office’s
website.
The moves come following several incidents last winter that led
to student protests concerning the campus’ racial climate.
Among the items called for by student protesters were a multicultural
affairs office and more faculty of color.
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