We believe in an inclusive and broad definition of diversity. We support the current description of diversity in the UO Diversity Plan, which includes diversity dimensions related to ethnicity/race, nationality, linguistics, sexual orientation, gender/sex, physical ability, religion, age, etc.
We support a Plan that creates unique and innovative change strategies that match the needs of each minority group and the specific types of oppression that each group experiences. Achieving these diverse goals need not be a competitive process. The Plan is also important because it attempts to set an agenda for building a better UO community that is better able to respond to Oregon's future given the demographic trends that are currently affecting and that will continue to affect the state of Oregon.
We would additionally like to respond to and communicate our disagreement with some of our UO colleagues' comments regarding the `illogic and immorality' of the UO Diversity Plan and to address some of our colleagues' comments at the Diversity Plan open forum meetings (printed in the The Daily Emerald article titled, `Community reacts to diversity plan' [May 1, 2006 issue]).
At this open forum meeting, two professors suggested that race/ethnicity should not matter when hiring faculty and that to consider race/ethnicity actually hurts ethnic minority faculty because ethnic/racial minority faculty will walk around campus feeling like they didn't earn the job on their own merits and other faculty will doubt their competence. The presumptive nature of this statement is profoundly disturbing on at least two levels. First, these faculty members presume to know what ethnic minority faculty members think and feel. Second, they assume that ethnic minority faculty members feel `less than' White (and implied in his statement - more qualified) faculty members. For decades, ethnic minority faculty members have experienced being questioned about their competencies and judged as to the merits of their hires. This is not new! Faculty vitriol against the consideration of ethnicity and race in any hire may come from those who have never been questioned or doubted due to any aspect of their identity, or underappreciated and devalued for the diverse/non-majority experiences they may offer. Statements such as these from our faculty colleagues directly imply that hiring competent, gifted, and promising scholars and hiring ethnic minority scholars are mutually exclusive. This is both insulting and untrue.
This and other blatantly discriminatory and insulting comments expressed in public forums point to the fact that some of our faculty colleagues do not believe they have been insulting. Some of our colleagues appear to be very offended, not only by feedback about issues of human diversity, but by the fact that the University, through its Diversity Plan, should even attempt to establish a mechanism to provide such feedback. We believe that faculty members who are expressing their disagreement with the Plan in this way do not see themselves as biased or offensive. We personally know, and in some cases are friends with, colleagues who do not support the UO Diversity Plan. We value dialogue and disagreement, but we cannot condone disrespectful, insulting, and hurtful interactions.
At the recent open forum, for example, one student of color spoke about feeling fearful and threatened at times on campus. A group of UO faculty members actually laughed out-loud at this student. This does not suggest lack of awareness but, instead, complete insensitivity to the experiences of others and in particular to a student of color. This behavior itself is precisely why the Diversity Plan which at its core targets increasing awareness, sensitivity, and competence is needed.
We understand the serious challenges faced by members of the UO Diversity Planning committee. We wish to thank you for your work. And, we clearly state our support for the process, completion, and adoption by the university community of the UO Diversity Plan that you are working diligently and conscientiously to create.