An initiative is underway to examine ways to increase minority representation in upper-level administrative positions at the University.
The initiative, called the Diversity Working Group (DWG), was announced at last week's meeting of the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC). Though the group has existed since the fall, Vice President for Campus Life Janet Dickerson said she chose to delay its announcement until the results of the Survey on Race and Campus Life were released.
The group is led by Dickerson and Vice President for Administration Mark Burstein.
"The group is intended to focus on recruitment, retention of diverse employees and to increase quality of their work experience," Dickerson said in an interview. "In this case, diversity refers to ethnic and racial diversity."
The DWG will be divided into three subcommittees to investigate work-life issues, employment policies and management training.
The initiative was formed because many minorities work in the University's lower-level positions but comparatively few in the higher levels, Dickerson explained. She said this gap may send the wrong message about race to University students.
"If the majority of people of color are serving food, working on grounds or in facilities — it might give students an impression we don't want to give regarding the nature of work for people of color," Dickerson said.
At least 10 minority staff members left the University this fall, prompting the administration to identify a "problem" in its effort to retain a diverse workforce, administration officials said.
After these employees left, some current and former employees described the University's "culture" as not consistently supportive of minority professionals.
USG Senator Chris Willis '07, who co-chaired the survey, said he has observed the same racial breakdown outside the campus gates.
"On Nassau Street, many of the fast-food places are staffed by minorities," he said. "If we constantly see minorities in a lower position, it might perpetuate stereotypes."
Dickerson said she recognizes that change cannot be enacted overnight. Her goal is to locate and prepare minorities to assume higher-level administrative positions, including those in Nassau Hall.
USG president Leslie-Bernard Joseph '06, who previously served as president of the Black Student Union, said he agreed with the aims of the initiative.
"There is a need to make the administration more representative," Joseph said. "A lack of minority administrators contributes to a feeling among students of color that the University is not as committed to diversity and fostering an inclusive campus environment for all students as it could be."
Dickerson said the University is in a comparatively better position to improve staff diversity than schools like Harvard University because of its location.
"Because of Trenton and other locations, it is possible to bring people of diversity," Dickerson said.
Dickerson expressed concern that some University employees who live in Trenton might not be experiencing a high quality of life. She plans to use her initiative to help these individuals take greater advantage of support programs that the University offers.
Dickerson said she will update the campus on DWG findings in the spring. The group will provide policy recommendations within the next 18 months.
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