Iowa State University Plan Would Spend $5.8 Million to Diversify Faculty
AMES, Iowa
Iowa State University administrators want to spend $5.8 million over five years on a program to improve diversity among the faculty.
The money would go toward minority faculty recruitment and finding jobs for employee spouses so that families won't have to leave Iowa State. It also will pay for faculty research, technology and partnerships with international businesses, communities, state and national groups, says the university's provost, Dr. Rollin Richmond.
Some minority faculty members have turned down the university because they "may not find the community as welcoming as others in terms of fitting in," Richmond says. "We're really struggling to deal with this."
Some faculty members are concerned that the money to recruit new faculty will come at the expense of current professors who need new laboratory equipment or other teaching tools.
The proposed program represents 3 percent of the university's budget. About $292,000 was set aside this year.
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