News & Views item - May 2005

 

 

Harvard to Spend US$50 Million on Diversity. (May 18, 2005)

    Harvard administrators announced on Monday a US$50 (A$66) million program to address the dearth of female students and faculty in the University's science departments. The initiative comes four months after Harvard's President, Lawrence Summers caused a near volcanic eruption by suggesting that women might be inherently less able in science. In addition his comments triggered the release of pent up resentment regarding his management style and plans for restyling the university.

 

On Monday two faculty task forces released a broad set of recommendations, and the University said many of the proposals -- on issues ranging from student research to faculty hiring -- would be implemented immediately.

 

For example a senior administrative post to spearhead an increase in the hiring of female and minority faculty will be inaugurated. Not before time according to the task forces, "In spite of more than three decades of concern Harvard has made on limited progress in its efforts to create a genuinely diverse faculty."

 

The university is committed to US$5 million per year over the next ten years but in addition Professor Summers told the Harvard Crimson,"This is an initial commitment, and we expect, given the importance of these issues, that there are likely to be more resources that are allotted down the road."

 

The Crimson also reports that "Among other proposals, the task forces recommended Harvard adopt policies -- including paid maternity leave and childcare scholarships -- to accommodate familial obligations of female graduate students, post-doctorate fellows, and faculty. In a press release, the University said it would wait to 'consider the overall balance, cost and feasibility (in terms of legal, pragmatic, and resource concerns) of the proposals.'"

 

However, it will move immediately on some of the task forces' proposals, including a program on leadership and diversity focused on educating the University's top administrators at their annual summer retreat. It wasn't revealed if Professor Summers would be among them.

 

   


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