Elon is in competition with surrounding universities that have much larger percentages of minority students and faculty members.

UNC-Greensboro is the most highly diverse, historically white UNC institution.

The UNC-G student body is 24 percent minority among graduate and undergraduate students and more than 13 percent of faculty members are minorities. Elon’s student body is 10 percent minority.

“It’s the responsibility of Elon to be proactive,” said associate provost Nancy Midgette. “We’re not hiding under the bedcovers; everyone makes a strong effort to increase diversity on campus.”

Despite university efforts, both students and staff members are not blind to Elon’s lack of minority faculty members.

“I can count on both hands how many African-American professors I’ve had,” said junior Christopher Briggs, a multicultural ambassador.

Becca McQueen, assistant director of Danieley Center residence life, was also disturbed by this disproportion.

“People who are leading campus organizations and classrooms are white,” she said. “This is not sending a good message to minority students.”

Elon has a minority-faculty fellows program which offers teaching positions to minority graduate students just finishing their doctorate. There are two fellowships offered each year and the appointments are renewable for one year.

“It brings to Elon bright, young minority faculty,” said Midgette.

Eighteen percent of the faculty members of the School of Communications are in ethnic minority groups.

“It doesn’t reflect society at large,” said Paul Parsons, dean of the School of Communications. “We report on society, are truth-telling in society and ought to reflect society.”

Elon’s School of Communications currently employees 34 faculty members: 14 male, 10 female. Six are minority faculty members.

Parsons said that diversity is taken very seriously and the benefits of a diverse faculty help lead and guide students.

“Students want a mentor in the faculty,” he said. “They want people who look like them.”

Briggs agrees that a diverse faculty is necessary to effectively educate students.

“Race does shape experiences,” Briggs said. “Different backgrounds create well-rounded individuals.”

Hiring a new faculty member requires department, dean and provost approval.

When a faculty member position opens the department writes up a description of the position, defining job specifications and requirements. Once these parameters are approved by the dean, the department forms a search committee.

One member of this search committee is charged with looking specifically at applicant diversity.

“We call them the diversity advocate,” Parsons said. “They look at applications that come in with a lens, an eye to enhance diversity.”

After reviewing the applications received, the search committee shares about 12 to 20 applications with the rest of the department.

The department then chooses around eight applicants who will get a phone call regarding their interest in the position.

Once the phone interviews are complete, the committee goes to the dean with three or four candidates who are invited to spend a day on campus. During that day they tour the campus, meet with other faculty members and students, and some may teach a class.

“It’s a very involved process,” Midgette said. “The candidate needs to see how important Elon sees them.”

Reporter: Margeaux Corby - 10/24/07