Diversity officers form association

PRIOR TO AN AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION diversity conference this fall, two dozen people received invitations to talk about forming an association of senior diversity officers. When the discussion actually began at the conference, 70 people had walked in the room.

Clearly, interest in a formalized association for diversity officers exists. Now the process of creating an association has begun. According to Kent State University Vice Provost Steve Michael, the initial conversation at the ACE conference arose after Michael and staffers in his office built a database of diversity officers nationwide. The database has 500 names, and it's still growing. "I don't think there is any doubt in our minds that if universities continue to expand the responsibilities and leadership of diversity officers, there is a need to have a way to professionalize it," says Michael.

The new and (as yet) un-named association already includes a character committee, a group drafting a constitution, and a committee overseeing six regional divisions. A listserv is connecting potential members and a formalized name and rules are expected this month.

While the number of high-level diversity officers who report to college president or provosts appears to be growing, those involved in the new association may not want to exclude decision-makers al other levels, says Michael "Universities are all over the map when it comes to how to define their [diversity] roles, he say.

With minority enrollment figures beginning to rise again following the U.S. Supreme Court's University of Michigan affirmative action decisions, the new association--whatever its name or scope--undoubtedly faces interesting times ahead.

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