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| For the past 14 years the College of
Agriculture & Life Sciences Diversity Committee at the University of Arizona
has successfully designed and presented a wide array of events and
communication activities to promote an awareness of diversity within the
College (see Accomplishments & Events). Supported by the Dean, who formed the
committee in 1992, this representative group includes faculty, staff and
students from academic departments, administration, extension offices,
agricultural centers, the experiment station, and support units in the
College. The Dean of the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences has recognized
and openly stated that he is in a “learning mode” about all aspects of
diversity and that he wants everyone in the College to receive ongoing
information and training on diversity issues. The committee works to reach all
faculty, staff and students in the College with the message that "Diversity is
Value Added." The committee members want their efforts to have a substantial and positive impact on attitudes and behavior in the College. The major challenge is to catch people's interest and encourage active, enthusiastic participation in the activities the committee sponsors. True changes in people's beliefs do not come from standard presentations and required attendance. The committee believes that attitudes change when people have a chance to interact with one another, learning about and appreciating each other’s differences while recognizing the fundamental likenesses that unite us as human beings. Since 1992 the committee has worked to create and direct experiential activities that are exceptionally innovative and highly memorable. Every activity incorporates three goals: AWARENESS of diversity, RESPECT for the richness that exists in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, and BELIEF that diversity brings quality. These goals are on progressive levels in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. The committee is well aware that the goal of AWARENESS is at a lower level than RESPECT and respect is less active or energetic than BELIEF. However, the committee strongly believes that when each level gets the attention it deserves, a cumulative effect occurs. When people are AWARE of the diversity which exists in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and when they RESPECT that diversity, then, in their innermost being, the BELIEF in the value-added nature of diversity will guide all decisions made in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. This BELIEF is the highest level that can be achieved. It comes slowly over time, and is dynamic and changing with each decision. This BELIEF does not come from quotas, targets or numbers. It comes from the heart. That is the ultimate leadership direction provided by the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Diversity Committee. |
