Susan R. Wente, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Vanderbilt University has published the second annual report on equity, diversity, and inclusivity. The report details many of the diversity, inclusion and community engagement efforts produced across Academic Affairs. While not an exhaustive list of all activities, it highlights the vision and direction embraced across campus in areas reporting to the provost’s office. The report focuses on both new and ongoing initiatives, administrative changes, committees, approaches and outcomes across all 10 colleges and schools as well as the Academic Affairs administration.
Among the findings published in the report are:
- The university made offers for 61 faculty positions. Of these 45 were accepted. A third of these were members of minority groups and 58 percent were women.
- The university was able to retain 75 percent of faculty members from underrepresented groups who were up for review.
- About one quarter of all students entering Ph.D. programs in education are members of underrepresented groups.
- This year, 22 of the 75 Divinity School admitted students are underrepresented minorities.
- Students from underrepresented groups accounted for 21.7 percent of the entering undergraduate class.
Dr. Wente said, “Vanderbilt is firmly committed to a campus community where all are safe, where all feel welcomed and supported, and where all can thrive and realize their potential to make unique contributions to the university and to the world.
“Vanderbilt not only supports but actively seeks diversity in terms of nationality, race, religion, ability, sexual orientation and gender expression among its faculty, students and staff because these attributes make the university a richer, stronger and more vibrant institution,” Dr. Wente added. “We must be deliberate in our efforts, transparent in our goals, and hold one another and the university accountable as we strive to foster equity, diversity, inclusion and respect among our community.”
The full report, Highlights of Academic Affairs’ Efforts to Advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, may be downloaded by clicking here.
