THE DIVERSITY ACTION COMMITTEE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING PURDUE UNIVERSITY

The Purdue University College of Engineering has had a sustained effort towards enhancing diversity through activities of the Diversity Action Committee (DAC).  The initial emphasis on promoting diversity by the College is demonstrated by the Minority Engineering Program (MEP) and the Women in Engineering Program (WIEP).  These programs were created in the early 1970s to develop the pipeline of potential women and minority engineering students, to recruit from this pool, and ultimately to help the women and minority students enrolled in Purdue’s engineering programs to successfully graduate.  These programs were successful in driving enrollments to a peak of 7% for undergraduate minorities and 23% for undergraduate women and retention to almost 45% for minority students and almost 60% for women students (slightly better than for male students). With increased competition and other external pressures, enrollment percentages have declined to approximately 18% for women and 6% for minorities. More recently new efforts were initiated and directed at increasing the number of women and minority engineering graduate students and faculty. These efforts have resulted in increasing the percentage of women faculty to 12.2% and the underrepresented faculty to 5.5%, in 2005. However, continued efforts are necessary to increase the diversity of all the engineering community (students, faculty and staff) and in cultivating awareness and support within the faculty for diversity.  Many new initiatives were underwritten by the Dean of Engineering office and continue. As a result of these efforts, several faculty members organized to discuss how they could be leaders in the process of change. The result is the DAC, whose mission, vision and goals, are outlined below. Reporting to the office of the Dean of Engineering, this group is expected to lead in the development of a diversity strategy that takes advantage of our strengths and existing programs, describes how we will improve in areas of weakness, and identifies measurable success factors. As the DAC has proceeded beyond its inception there has been increased recognition of the necessity for broadening the initial focus to directly and proactively work to insure a productive and rewarding climate for all students, staff and faculty of the College.  Any form of discriminatory treatment is inconsistent with promoting the best possible environment for all, including differential treatment based on amongst others age, breastfeeding, career status, disability or impairment, economic status, education, ethnicity, gender identity, lawful sexual activity, marital status, membership in social groups or organizations, nationality, national origin, occupation, parental status, personal appearance, physical features, political activity or belief, pregnancy, race, religious belief or activity, sex, sexual orientation.

MISSION: The Diversity Action Committee will provide the leadership within Purdue University and the College of Engineering necessary to promote and achieve a climate in Engineering that values all people, as evidenced by the College attitudes, policies, and practice.

VISION: The College of Engineering will value, nurture, and respect all members of its community and will ensure an environment of excellence where all students, faculty, and staff are inspired and empowered to achieve their full potential.

GOALS

1.  Develop and sustain a comprehensive and responsive communication infrastructure that advances all dimensions of our diversity efforts.

2.  Develop a range of resources (financial, human, and facilities) and tools necessary to initiate and sustain all aspects of the diversity effort and to provide the flexibility necessary to take advantage of opportunities to advance our diversity efforts. 

3.  Increase the proportion of underrepresented populations at all levels of engineering students, faculty, staff, and administration.  An essential component of achieving this goal is to support development of a larger pool of underrepresented populations within the pool of potential engineering students.

4.  Develop a climate of mutual support, respect, and recognition that ensures the success of all members of the College community throughout every aspect of the university experience.

5.  Develop programs that help individuals successfully bridge critical transitions along an engineering education and career path.