celebrating diversity

Near the end of Chapter 13 the authors of your text refer to Edward Said's argument that organizations should celebrate diversity rather than try to management. This is the approach SJSU is taking in its strategic planning and the creation of a new position Assistant to the President and Director of Institutional Planning and Inclusive Excellence, currently fulfilled by Dr. Rona Halualani, professor of communication studies. Last year Dr. Halualani implemented a two series of focus group discussions, one with faculty and staff and the other with students, to encourage the campus community reflect on diversity issues at SJSU. The outcomes of these discussions are now part of the university's strategic planning process. Celebrating diversity is also part of Vision 2010, another piece of the strategic planning process. Part of Vision 2010 involved revisiting SJSU's mission and goals. One goal in particular suggests a celebration of diversity:

• Multi-cultural and global perspectives gained through intellectual and social exchange with people of diverse economic and ethnic backgrounds.

Still, in the faculty and staff focus group in which I participated, attendees voiced skepticism of the university's ability to commit the resources necessary to support diversity at all levels of the institution. For example, the university's Bridge Program, which helps first-year students adjust to college life has been scaled back in recent years.

~ Professor Cyborg