It is my observation that recent discussions regarding the establishment of a black studies department at Towson have resulted in confusion about the vision and purpose of the Center for Student Diversity and perhaps broader campus diversity initiatives.
For the most part, I’m happy that the organizational lines are blurred to students as we strive to have the boundaries between academic programs and student support programs appear seamless.
Nonetheless, there exists a division of academic affairs, led by provost Marcia Welsh and a division of student affairs, led by me.
The call for the establishment of a black studies department falls within the responsibilities of academic affairs.
That does not mean that staff and the programs and services offered through student affairs will not be involved in advising students, creating opportunities for discussion and ensuring that students are talking to the appropriate individuals, or that we will be completely removed from creating collaborations should it become a reality.
However, the responsibility for establishing a credit bearing program, hiring faculty, and the developing curriculum rests with the provost, deans and academic department chairs.
The division of student affairs exists to promote and support student learning and development outside the classroom, providing programs and experiences that complement as well as enhance a student’s academic experience.
We do this through a wide variety of programs and services, the creation of strong peer mentor programs, and the development of solid collaborative relationships and efforts with our academic colleagues.
The opinion piece by Ms. Yvonne Hardy-Phillips that appeared on Monday, Nov. 2 was surprising to me because I did not recognize the TU she described from 2004 to present as the one that I have come to fully appreciate.
The Center for Student Diversity is thriving, and the African-American Cultural Center within this cluster continues to provide outstanding support and programming for our students of African descent.
Though the Diversity Task Force Report (Spring 2004) concluded “that for the most part given the historic/then current resources expended by the University, outcomes were, in fact, better than should be expected,” it should be noted that the report did not sit on a shelf.
Rather, it became a living document that resulted in a renewed effort on the part of the institution to further examine issues raised and to address every one through the Diversity Coordinating Council and Diversity Advancement Committee (established as a result of the report) as well as through the Towson 2010 plan, which renewed the university’s commitment to support a strong and diverse campus community.
Following the report, we began a review of the programs and services of the Office of Diversity Resources and its various areas of focus (including the African-American Cultural Center) to revisit the mission and the effectiveness of what was being offered.
During the 2005 academic year, it was agreed (through discussions with students, faculty and staff) that the vision for diversity programming needed to be expanded not only to enhance the experience of students of African descent but also to develop a more inclusive model to address the needs of Hispanic, Latino, Asian, LGBT and other historically underrepresented students.
It was recognized that additional funds would be needed to support both existing programs as well as the establishment of new initiatives.
Since developing a renewed vision, ODR has become the Center for Student Diversity complete with a redesigned, renovated and expanded physical space, the addition of new staff and additional funds to support programs.
Since 2004, the budget for the Center for Student Diversity has grown substantially, and an additional $250,000 has been allocated to redesign and expand the space.
The truth is that none of the services offered through CSD that target student growth, development and leadership have been “abolished.”
Rather than “marginalizing the programs” every effort has been made to increase institutional support for the critically important programs that are sponsored by the center.
Resources that have been redirected and added to CSD’s budget have resulted in a number of outstanding programs that have been embraced by students and the larger community, including the hugely successful “Daughter’s of the Promise” presented by Ilyasah Shabazz (daughter of Malcolm X) and Rory Kennedy (daughter of Robert Kennedy) (Fall 2009) and “Feminism, Anti-Racism, Racism & Abolition Democracy” by Angela Davis (Spring 2009).
There is a reason that students of African descent who attend Towson University graduate at the same rate (and in some cases higher) than the general population.
For example, Towson’s six-year graduation rates for the class that entered in 2003 are 72.8% (all) and 73.5% (African-American).
Our graduation rates are enviable – the national average for four-year public institutions is 57.3% (all) and 40.1% (African-American).
I believe this is in large part due to the outstanding support programs and services that have been put in place and continue to be expanded.
While I strongly disagree that TU is “now in a state of moral and ethical decline,” I do believe we are at an important point in our history to continue to fully engage the community in discussions and actions that result in infusing multicultural learning and interaction across the university experience.
Do we need a black studies department?
I don’t know; but I believe it is worth examining this important question.
Do we need to identify a number of ways to continue to help students of color feel welcomed, included, valued and supported?
Absolutely!
Do we need to examine our programs to ensure that we are learning about the great history of all people and the important contributions made to today’s world? Absolutely!
Do we need to help all students understand the perspective and experiences of others different from themselves? Absolutely!
A University is a wonderful environment to explore, learn, broaden one’s perspective, and gain greater understanding.
It is our responsibility to continue to use the University experience as a place to advance learning, for students to grow and develop and for us to prepare future graduates for leadership roles in the increasingly diverse and complex world they are entering upon graduation.
It is our responsibility to create opportunities for this important learning to take place in a way that is civil and respectful.
I ask the members of this community to embrace all of these educational opportunities and experiences.
With integrity as my core value, I offer my assurance that the administration is committed to this important work.
A response to diversity
Published: Thursday, November 5, 2009
Updated: Thursday, November 5, 2009
2 comments
Fantastic
From the same person who still feels it's cool to rob hard-working students of cum laude by traditional standards upheld by almost every university.Great.
Towson Morgan U
How can you DEMAND Diversity when you plan to exclude others while doing it (and forcing them to pay for it) You wont win that argument kiddo. Towson University is a wonderful place - let’s not ruin it with attempts to divide. If a student feels Towson U isn’t focused enough on them then perhaps Morgan, Coppin or a number of other universities is better suited. (who do nothing to welcome white students on board) As recent elections of this week have proven in VA and NJ, Change is good..but bad Change isn’t and ultimately its rejected.
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