By Ryan Gallentine
The Daily Cardinal
Day two of the Sixth Annual Diversity and Climate Campus Forum provided an overview of the programs UW-Madison'd diversity effort, called Plan 2008, that have been successful.
Deans, administrators, students and faculty met during a day-long session in the Memorial Union to discuss issues involving diversity at UW-Madison.
One of the main objectives of Plan 2008 was not only to improve the number of minorities entering the university, but also to retain them.
'If you look at numbers of [minorities] coming in and people being hired, and then you see whether they stay, and more importantly, graduate. Then you can have some ideas of what works,' said Bernice Durand, Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Climate.
The program included workshops dealing with issues of increasing tolerance and appreciating a diverse campus climate.
'We are going through and finding what the elements of a great classroom are, and how to create a place where people feel they're really part of the community,' Durand said.
The event is a continuation of the program titled 'Creating Community' and is meant to identify problems faced by minorities on campus and how best to approach them.
The group participated in brainstorming sessions to create ways around the blocks that impede cultural acceptance.
'People need to learn how to talk to each other. If we learn how to be open-minded and talk to each other instead of running from our differences, we can appreciate what it means to have individuals with different cultures,' said Alicia Jackson, Director of Diversity for the Alumni Association.
Plan 2008, a 10-year program aimed at removing barriers associated with race, ethnicity and economic disadvantage, is in its final phases. Its goal is to expand access to educational opportunities for people of color statewide.
A student panel spoke about what programs they believed have done the most to help them and improve campus climate, including the Posse program and the Pre-College Enrichment Program for Learning Excellence.
'The solution is not something that can be created overnight,' said University Communications spokesperson John Lucas. 'It is a long-term culture change for the University'??to not only encourage more diversity among students, faculty and staff, but also to keep them here in a welcoming environment.'
