Black students at the UW say they often feel like objects of curiosity. But David Monroe, 20, a sophomore from Tacoma, said he liked his freshman dorm experience because it exposed him to new types of people — and them to him.
Tonya Bryant, 19-year-old freshman from Bothell, was surprised to find her African-American studies lecturer was White. The class was apologetically told that a lot of Black faculty were leaving.
``We lost two [Black ] senior professors last year, and when we lose two, it's a lot,'' said Rusty Barceló, the UW's vice president for minority affairs. ``We find we retain assistant professors but sometimes lose them when they're promoted to associate professors. They're often lured away.''
Barceló said recruiters did a good job last year finding Black students, but she and others were ``stunned'' when only half of those offered slots accepted.
Part of the reason, she said, is the UW cannot compete with scholarships offered at places like Stanford University and the University of Michigan.
UW President Mark Emmert said he's been making significant investments in recruitment and retention efforts and in the campus Office of Minority Affairs. He and other senior staff members are trying to figure out what caused the dip in 2005 Black freshman numbers and make improvements this year.
And the Provost's Office is adding a staff position to try to increase minority faculty numbers.
— Associated Press
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
