University of Delaware Allocates $1 Million as a First Installment for Diversity Initiatives

George Watson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Delaware, has announced the allocation of $1 million for diversity initiatives. Dean Watson said that the allocation will be a recurring expense, not just a one-time expenditure.

“We have to move to action,” Dr. Watson said, “and a lot of times, action takes dollars. It’s a major commitment but it is important to us.”

While the university is developing a plan to implement new diversity initiatives, Dean Watson said programs to recruit minority faculty and graduate students will be a priority. He also said that diversity advocates will be hired.

In explaining the goal of the programs, Dean Watson said, “we need to rethink our priorities and start paying closer attention to understanding cultural differences, promoting culturally diverse experiences and exposing students, faculty and staff to others with diverse backgrounds so that when students come to the University of Delaware, and when they later graduate, they have developed as global citizens ready to make a difference in the world.”