May 23, 2006
President Dave Frohnmayer
Office of the President
97403-1226 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403-1226
Dear President Frohnmayer:
I have been contacted by a number of UO professors, students and others in the community who are concerned about the proposed diversity plan. While it is an improvement over the previous draft, there remains the issue of costs associated with the plan and concerns about a diversity litmus test when it comes to hiring of professors and recruiting students.
I hear again and again that professors in Oregon are underpaid. Was there consideration given to using the money that will be spent on the diversity plan to increase professor's salaries? This may be a more effective way to recruit candidates of all ethnicities.
When the legislature meets in 2007, I expect that the issue of the UO diversity plan will be one of the topics given serious consideration for review. When we look at policy and budget, additional funds spent on diversity are worth consideration.
The concerns you are hearing regarding the diversity plan are real. Adoption at this time would seem premature. I appreciate you taking my concerns into consideration and look forward to a response from you.
Sincerely,
Linda Flores
State Representative