MSU reports progress toward diversity goals

With minority representation up in both the work force and student body, including record numbers of enrolled minority freshmen, MSU continues to make progress toward its goal of being a more diverse community.

Affirmative action goals, and the progress toward those goals, were outlined in the 1999-2000 Annual Progress Report on Affirmative Action and Diversity Within Community, which was presented to the MSU Board of Trustees on April 20.

"In reflecting on our efforts during 1999-2000, MSU did not stray from its commitment outlined in our Guiding Principle to advance diversity within community," said Paulette Granberry Russell, director of the Office of Affirmative Action Compliance and Monitoring and senior adviser to the president on diversity issues.

"While numbers represent one measurement of our success," Granberry Russell said, "they do not adequately speak to the tremendous work that is being done daily to assure that all faculty, staff and students have access to opportunities and share in the benefits of our diversity."

The 1999-2000 progress report evaluates programming and accomplishments regarding diversity on campus, as well as looks at the representation of the diverse groups within the campus population.

Granberry Russell said one area her office will focus on in the future is the retention of minority and women within the faculty tenure system.

"Over the past several years, gains made through recruitment have generally been offset by a higher rate of resignation for women and minority faculty," she said. "There are various reasons offered for why individuals choose to leave.

"However, it is important that we monitor and assess our retention efforts for faculty and continue to maintain a campus environment that is representative and inclusive of all people," she said.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

Enrollment of minority freshmen reached an all-time high in 2000, as more than 1,300 minority students came to MSU. That's a 7.7 percent increase from 1999.
Total domestic minority student enrollment increased 3.17 percent from a year ago. The 6,771 students represent 15.6 percent of the total MSU student population.
Women students represented 53.6 percent of the total student population, a slight increase from a year ago.
Minorities now represent 16.9 percent of the total academic personnel system, up by nearly 9 percent from a year ago.