Bernice Durand, a UW-Madison leader in campus climate and diversity, announced her retirement Tuesday, effective at the end of June 2007.
Durand was one of three co-chairs of Plan 2008, UW-Madison's current 10-year campus plan devoted to diversity retention and recruitment. She said the best things the university has done so far are the institution of the PEOPLE program and the continued attention to campus climate.
""I think we're getting better for that critical first year for students,"" she said of the increased attention on minority students in ""gateway"" courses, or large, elementary courses in which students may ""fall through the cracks.""
""Campus climate is really what we need to focus on,"" Durand said.
Durand was also a physics professor in the field of particle theory and mathematical physics. In addition, she chaired the UW-Madison Athletic Board and University Committee at various times during her near 37 years at UW-Madison, according to a University Communications release.
Regarding her retirement plans, Durand said she currently does not have any except her intention to not have any responsibilities for three months or so.
""I have never planned anything in particular in my life,"" Durand explained. ""It's worked out so well, I'm going to keep trying that.""
—Erica Pelzek
