“Campus Conversations” at The University of Texas at Austin
to focus on issues of inclusiveness and diversity on campus

Updated November 30, 2005

The last in a series of three “campus conversations” sessions at The University of Texas at Austin focusing on issues of inclusiveness and diversity will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, in Sinclair Suite, 3.128 of the Texas Union. The session is informal and members of the university community are invited to attend as much of the program as their schedules allow.

Dr. Gregory Vincent, vice provost for inclusion and cross-cultural effectiveness, said information gleaned from the sessions with students, faculty and staff members will be used to develop initiatives addressing issues and solutions. About 50 members of the university community participated in the second session on Nov. 29.

Vincent said the sessions have helped to raise awareness about the university’s efforts to improve progress in the development of the campus as a more diverse and welcoming environment. Vincent’s position was created last year by the university’s president, Dr. Larry R. Faulkner, in response to recommendations by the university’s 15-member Task Force on Racial Respect and Fairness.

The task force, consisting of students, faculty and staff members, was convened by Faulkner in March 2003 in the wake of several incidents that, according to the president, “highlighted the racial frictions that prevent our university community from realizing optimum mutual benefits for the whole community or for individual members.”

Updated November 23, 2005

The second of three “campus conversations” sessions at The University of Texas at Austin focusing on issues of inclusiveness and diversity will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 29 in Sinclair Suite, 3.128 of the Texas Union.

A session that had been planned for Nov. 28 has been changed, due to conflicting schedules, and now will be held Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Sinclair Suite, 3.128 of the Texas Union.

November 7, 2005

AUSTIN, Texas—A series of “campus conversations” have been scheduled during November at The University of Texas at Austin to encourage dialogue and to help university officials receive input from students, faculty and staff members about issues of inclusiveness and diversity on campus.

The three sessions will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 8 from in Mezes Hall 1.306, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 28 in Sinclair Suite, 3.128 of the Texas Union, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 29 in Sinclair Suite, 3.128 of the Texas Union.

Dr. Gregory Vincent, vice provost for inclusion and cross-cultural effectiveness, said he scheduled the sessions to raise awareness about the university’s initiative to improve progress in the development of the campus as a more diverse and welcoming environment.

“I want to create opportunities for faculty, staff and students to share their ideas and concerns,” said Vincent, whose position was created last year by the university’s president, Dr. Larry R. Faulkner, in response to recommendations by the university’s 15-member Task Force on Racial Respect and Fairness. Vincent, who reports to Provost Sheldon Ekland-Olson, began his new job this summer. He said he will use feedback from the sessions toward his work on campus.

Faulkner’s decision to create the new vice provost position was influenced by a report by the Task Force on Racial Respect and Fairness consisting of students, faculty and staff members. Faulkner had convened the task force in March 2003 in the wake of several incidents that, according to the president, “highlighted the racial frictions that prevent our university community from realizing optimum mutual benefits for the whole community or for individual members.”

For more information contact: Enrique Romo, Office of the Provost, 512-471-3212; Robert D. Meckel, Office of Public Affairs, 512-475-7847.