Letter from the Affirmative Action Officer
As the Institute's Affirmative Action Officer, I would like to invite you to visit the website links found on the "RIT... A University That Values Diversity" home page. This website, launched in September 2000 is constructed to be informative and helpful in achieving our many diversity objectives. Human Resources (HR), with the full commitment of President Albert J. Simone, Institute Vice Presidents and Deans, and our Board of Trustees, has the overall responsibility for RIT's employee diversity initiatives. In this role HR will provide direction and support to the colleges and divisions as we work together to meet our short and long term commitments to a more diverse workforce. The Human Resources department is integral to the colleges and operating divisions' commitment to recruit, retain and reward all qualified and contributing members of the RIT community.
The following web pages have been uniquely developed to bring together the collaborative efforts of many university resources dedicated to achieving RIT's diversity goals. As you move from site to site you will find how RIT's collaborative efforts are making strides in improving the demographic profile of RIT's students, staff and faculty. This site provides you with direct connection to key personnel responsible for diversity initiatives across the campus, and in the community at large. Please visit the Commission for Promoting Pluralism, under Ms. Alfreda Brown's direction. The commission, founded in 1991, annually brings to campus the Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebration, and is one of the key sponsors of the Campus Week of Dialogue Series. These are key events on the campus and serve as wonderful examples of the work of the commission. To further reinforce and promote RIT's commitment to our diversity initiative, two positions have been established. Dr. Eulas Boyd is the appointed the Associate Provost for Diversity in 2001. He serves the university with a special emphasis on the retention of diverse students, and in conjunction with Human Resources, faculty and staff recruitment and satisfaction. In 2002, Renee Baker joined RIT as Manager of Faculty Recruitment. Ms. Baker, with the full support of the President, Provost and college deans, serves as a conduit for ethnic diversity to faculty search committees.
In addition, you are able to enter the Wallace Memorial web pages dedicated to understanding and research references on the subject of multiculturalism. Browse through the networks, and other key links. HR is responsible for identifying emerging issues related to the successful development of all employees in a richly diverse working environment. In collaboration with the Center for Professional Development (CPD), HR develops and promotes a dynamic schedule of workshops and seminars to educate our workforce on RIT's values and commitments. Through the CPD website, you are able to review and enroll in workshops and seminars that teach and reinforce RIT's diversity commitment.
I encourage you to become more familiar with RIT's diversity efforts. You can contribute to our programs by helping RIT in its outreach efforts, referring qualified candidates for employment consideration, and most importantly, by sharing your individual diversity and culture with one another. We are all richer from the experiences of working and learning together as a community. I welcome your feedback, and your active participation, in RIT's diversity commitment.
Dr. James H. Watters
Affirmative Action Officer, RIT
