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Office of the President

Presidential Commission on Race and Diversity

In 2015, former President and CEO Joel Seligman established the Presidential Commission on Race and Diversity to assess concerns raised by minority student leaders. The commission issued a final report in October 2016.  

About the Commission

The commission was established on November 23, 2015, in response to a petition by minority student leaders demanding that the administration take steps to address incidents of intolerance and racism. The commission held a series of meetings to assess issues related to campus climate, race, and diversity. In October 2015, the commission issued its final report. Former President and CEO Joel Seligman accepted the principal recommendations in a message to the University community on November 29, 2016.

The Presidential Diversity Council and the Presidential Diversity Council Implementation Committee formed in December 2016 to promote and encourage the University’s race and diversity activities and establish methods of accountability for continued progress on the recommendations of the commission. 

Response to the Final Report of the Presidential Commission on Race and Diversity

November 29, 2016

“I am today accepting the principal recommendations of the Final Report of the Presidential Commission on Race and Diversity, issued on October 26, 2016, specifically including its basic recommendations on Leadership, Students, Faculty, Staff, and Climate and Community.”

Report of the Commission on Race and Diversity

October 26, 2016

Message from President Joel Seligman

Announcements

March 8, 2016
Yik Yak asks users to create user names in a step away from anonymity
Yik Yak, the anonymous social network, is asking users to create user names. Starting today, users will be asked to create “handles” that they can optionally attach to their posts. The handles, which do not have to include users’ real names, will be turned on by default for every post. The move could help strengthen Yik Yak communities by making their best contributors more visible and trusted. Another benefit of adopting user names could be to increase accountability on a service that is often criticized for the anonymous abuse and threats it has enabled.

February 3, 2016
Commission Presents Interim Report
On January 31, the Presidential Commission on Race and Diversity provided its interim report to President and CEO Joel Seligman based on its charge to assess issues of race and diversity at the University. Established this past November by Seligman in response to a petition from several student groups, as well as events involving students, faculty, and staff on campus and beyond, the commission is chaired by Paul Burgett, vice president and senior advisor to the president, and Richard Feldman, dean of the College, and includes faculty, students, administrators, and staff. President Seligman has issued his response to the interim report and expressed his gratitude to the commission for their hard and dedicated work.

December 11, 2015
Commission Town Hall on Yik Yak 3 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, December 11Gowen Room, Wilson Commons
The University community is invited to a forum about the social media application Yik Yak. Paul Burgett, vice president, senior advisor to the president, and cochair of the Presidential Commission on Race and Diversity, will moderate the forum. A brief panel discussion will be followed by an open discussion.

December 3, 2015
Presidential Commission on Race and Diversity Meets
A new commission charged with assessing issues of race and diversity at the University will hold its first meeting today. Established by President and CEO Joel Seligman in his message to the community on November 23 in response to a petition from several student groups, the commission is chaired by Paul Burgett, vice president and senior advisor to the president, and Richard Feldman, dean of the College, and includes faculty, students, administrators, and staff.

Seligman will formally deliver the charge to the commission at the first meeting, during which the commission will also address organizational issues, methods for collecting input from the University community, including town hall meetings, data gathering and analysis, and communications. The commission will issue a preliminary report by the end of January and present a final report by the end of the spring semester.

November 23, 2015
President Joel Seligman Response to November 20 Student Petition
“Ten years ago, I began my service here, emphasizing that diversity is a core value of our University.  I meant by that respect for all students, faculty and staff regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or beliefs.  Our aspiration is to create a University that is welcoming and supportive of all in our community. … I cannot ignore evidence that our campus climate can be improved.”

President Joel Seligman Response to November 20 Student Petition
“Ten years ago, I began my service here, emphasizing that diversity is a core value of our University.  I meant by that respect for all students, faculty and staff regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or beliefs.  Our aspiration is to create a University that is welcoming and supportive of all in our community. … I cannot ignore evidence that our campus climate can be improved.”

November 20, 2015
Students demand better racial climate at the University
About 150 students and supporters marched peacefully across the River Campus on Friday to demand that “the University of Rochester’s administration implement immediate and lasting changes that will reduce intolerable acts of racism that students of color endure at our University.”

Commission on Race and Diversity Membership

  • Paul Burgett, co-chair, vice president and senior advisor to the president
  • Richard Feldman, co-chair, dean of the College
  • Nancy Ares, associate professor and faculty diversity officer at the Warner School of Education;
  • Nick Bigelow, cochair of the Faculty Senate and the Lee A. DuBridge Professor of Physics and Optics;
  • Linda Chaudron, associate vice president and senior associate dean for inclusion and culture development at the Medical Center;
  • Carin Cole, assistant dean of student engagement at the Simon Business School;
  • Justin Delinois, member of Spanish and Latin Students Association (SALSA), and a student in the College;
  • Grant Dever, president of the Students’ Association in the College;
  • Donna Brink Fox, senior associate dean of academic and student affairs and the Eisenhart Professor of Music Education;
  • Charlisa Goodlet, president of Douglass Leadership House and a student in the College;
  • Myra Henry, director of administrative services for River Campus Libraries;
  • James Johnson, professor of political science;
  • Anthony Kinslow, associate vice president for human resources;
  • Vivian Lewis, deputy to the president and vice provost for faculty development and diversity;
  • LaRon Nelson, assistant professor and Dean’s Endowed Fellow in Health Disparities at the School of Nursing;
  • Anne Nofziger, chair of the Medical Faculty Council and associate professor of family medicine;
  • Gail Norris, vice president and general counsel;
  • Guylda Richard, president of the Student National Medical Association and a student at the School of Medicine and Dentistry;
  • Jonathan Teoh, secretary of the Chinese Students’ Association, and a student in the College; and
  • Andrew Winslow, president of Students’ Association at the Eastman School of Music.