After numerous cries for progress on campus diversity issues, the President's Office and the Diversity Council have hired an outside firm, Halualani & Associates, to address the concerns.
The Diversity Mapping Project will utilize the firm's experience with diversity consulting to recognize the problems that Sonoma State faces in its efforts to create a more versatile campus.
The project intends to "map out" the diversity issues of Sonoma State – what has been successful and what needs improving. Rather than focus on the expected plans for the future, the firm aims to identify what is actually happening with the university's diversity efforts and from these conclusions, a master plan will be revealed.
"The diversity map will be a comprehensive inventory of all activities and programs across the university that promote diversity, presented in a graphical format," said Eduardo Ochoa, provost and vice president for academic affairs.
From that, a diversity master plan will be released. The plan will focus on the university's specific needs and outline a route of action.
"The map will identify areas of strength and areas in need of strengthening, and will be an invaluable guide in implementing SSU's Diversity Plan," said Ochoa.
Some of the key areas of focus would be on recruitment and retention as well as implementing a strong structure to promote diversity.
At an open forum on the subject in November, most in attendance agreed that Sonoma State lacked the resources in organization and programming to allow more diversity on campus.
Currently, SSU is focusing on the recruitment process, reaching out to high schools across the Bay Area and participating in summits for students and families of different races.
However, the retention of these students is another key issue that was brought up in a forum in
November. Concerns were voiced that a strong campus environment would need to be established in order to make those students want to remain at SSU. Results of the project and its findings will be made available to the public in a presentation given by Halualani & Associates. A report and maps will be available for download as well.
According to Ochoa, the funding for this project will be split between the President's Office and an outside donor, Daphne Smith. The estimated cost of this is $10,000.
The council hired Halualani & Associates, a Bay Area consulting firm that specializes in diversity issues. They will work from February through April to identify areas that Sonoma State needs to work on.
Dr. Rona Halualani has experience dealing with diversity issues, especially within higher education system. She previously worked at San Jose State University to deliver their Diversity Master Plan. During her two-year appointment at the university,
Halualani assisted SJSU in creating their first diversity master plan. The proposal was the first in the California State University system and has since been an influence on other campuses.
Halualani & Associates was unavailable for comment.
In addition to the mapping project, a diversity coordinator is likely to be created in Fall 2010.
"We anticipate appointing a Diversity Coordinator starting in Fall 2010," said Ochoa. "This person will coordinate diversity efforts across the university, work with the President's Diversity Council, and be the lead advocate for advancement in this area."
This comes after extensive debate over a position that would cost the university over $600,000.
Susan Moulton, professor of art history, told the STAR last semester that a full-time diversity coordinator was approved by varying levels of the administration, but did not receive proper funding for its implementation.
For more information on the Diversity Mapping Project, visit sonoma.edu/diversity
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