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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 Purdues 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. |
