UT Austin creates new diversity position

Black Issues in Higher Education, Sept 23, 2004

AUSTIN, TEXAS

The University of Texas has created a senior position to oversee and improve diversity in everything from staff recruitment to course offerings.

The vice provost for inclusion and cross-cultural effectiveness will report to Dr. Sheldon Ekland-Olson, the university's executive vice president and provost.

Ekland-Olson and other university officials plan to finalize the post's job description and plan a search for candidates, the Austin American-Statesman reported. He said the position will address "all aspects of campus life, including the curriculum, how we represent ourselves to the world and how we recruit and retain faculty, staff and students."

The creation of the position is part of a broader effort by UT President Dr. Larry R. Faulkner to improve racial and ethnic harmony.