Tag: diversity

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has participated in discussions, on and off the steps of Sikes Hall this past week, as well as prior conversations. Students, faculty, staff and the community have demonstrated true passion and genuine commitment to seeking ways in which Clemson can be a more welcoming, safe and inclusive place for everyone. I acknowledge that students are still sitting on the steps of Sikes Hall as this communication is being delivered and understand their frustration. I’m saddened that some members of our community felt that the only way to be heard was to spend the last nine days in front of the Administration building. I have been truly moved.

Through the forums that took place this week, I, along with my leadership team, have listened intently to the challenges facing Clemson. We heard you. While we have been taking steps to improve diversity and inclusion on our campus, there is still much work to be done. We recognize the need to take action in specific and immediate ways.

We are committed to taking the following actions to address the concerns we heard:

• Clemson University fosters an environment of free speech but with that comes a responsibility to treat all members with respect and dignity. I will not tolerate threatening behavior and statements, and there will be consequences for any such actions. We also commit to more effective communications when malicious incidents occur and will use these as opportunities to articulate the negative impact on our sense of community.
  • Ownership: President Clements
  • Timeline: Immediate and ongoing

• The identification of a more appropriate short and long-term space for the Gantt Multicultural Center is of the highest priority. Short term space will be identified and available for use by Fall 2016. A committee of students, faculty, staff and administration will be formed to identify a suitable long-term location and formulate a relocation strategy by December 2016, with implementation by August 2017. The review will also include an evaluation of resource requirements.
  • Ownership: Chief Diversity Officer Lee Gill and Vice President of Finance and Operations  Brett Dalton
  • Timeline: June 2016 – August 2017

• Student Affairs will work with student organizations to ensure an equitable distribution of funding to student groups.
  • Ownership: Vice President of Student Affairs Almeda Jacks
  • Timeline: Academic Year 2016-2017

• The university is committed to the goal of diversifying and doubling the number of underrepresented minority faculty by 2025.
  • Ownership: Provost Bob Jones, Academic Deans and Chief Diversity Officer Lee Gill
  • Timeline: Immediate – 2025

• Through the execution of the Board of Trustee’s History Task Force Plan, the complete story of our historical buildings will be told, including Tillman Hall, originally known as Old Main.
  • Ownership: Executive Leadership Team
  • Timeline: Immediate through December 2016

• In order to create a more inclusive, welcoming and safe environment for everyone, all employees will participate in diversity education and training that promotes cultural competencies and awareness.
  • Ownership: Chief Human Resources Officer Michelle Piekutowski and Chief Diversity Officer Lee Gill
  •  Timeline: Immediate through May 2017 and ongoing thereafter

• Student Affairs is requesting that student government have a discussion to include the phrase “diversity and inclusive excellence” as one of the students’ core values. The CU1000 course is being restructured to improve students’ understanding of their responsibility as members of a diverse community.
  • Ownership: Provost Bob Jones and Vice President of Student Affairs Almeda Jacks
  • Timeline: Core values discussion underway. CU1000 review will begin immediately with implementation in Fall 2017.

• We are committed to increasing the underrepresented student population with specific goals to be established by August 2016.
  • Ownership: Provost Bob Jones, Academic Deans, and Associate Vice President Enrollment Management Chuck Knepfle
  • Timeline: Immediate until goals are reached

I charge our Chief Diversity Officer, Lee Gill, with creating a feedback process to engage our university community in ongoing communications where we will report to you regularly on our progress.

I believe these are solid and meaningful steps towards creating a better campus for everyone. If we are committed to working together, there is nothing we cannot overcome and achieve.

This is a defining moment for Clemson University, and I am proud to be a part of it.

Go Tigers!

Jim Clements

Over the past year we had many conversations about the need to better document and tell the complete story of Clemson’s history, and I’m pleased to report that we are making progress. Last week, the Trustee Task Force on the History of Clemson asked me and our leadership team to develop recommendations on how to best tell the full and unvarnished history of this university for present and future generations. The next step in that process will be to listen to you.

Along with holding meetings with representatives of our key constituent groups – such as the Faculty and Staff Senates, student government, the newly formed Diversity Advisory Council, the Alumni Association and other volunteer boards — and members of the broader community, we have developed a dedicated website for comments, feedback and ideas so that each of you has an opportunity to voice your opinion and be engaged on this issue. I encourage you to participate between now and the end of November 2015. You may log in using your alumni profile user name and password. If you do not have an alumni profile, you will be prompted to register one – or you can send your comments via U.S. Mail to:

President’s Office
Attn: BOT History of Clemson
201 Sikes Hall
Clemson, SC 29634

All ideas, feedback, suggestions and recommendations will be given full consideration, and we hope that they will help us strike a balance between telling our complete history, while we look to the future and enhance our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

I hope that you will help us write the next chapter of this great university’s story.

Dear Clemson Family,

Last week, we had the opportunity to brief the Board of Trustees on the 2020Forward strategic plan, and I’m pleased to report that they support the key concepts and charged us to return this fall with a final plan for their official endorsement.

Included among those key concepts are: a sustained commitment to quality in all we do; high-impact engagement as a cornerstone of undergraduate education; growth in research and doctoral enrollment with emphasis on areas where we can achieve national prominence; making Clemson an exceptional place to work; and increasing our commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. The plan also retains many of the principles of the 2020 Road Map – including a Top 20 national ranking, an aggressive capital improvement plan, and continued commitment to outreach and economic progress for South Carolina.

I also updated the board on progress in developing a plan for diversity. Over the past few months, we have held dozens of meetings with faculty, staff, students and alumni about how we can improve the climate for diversity and inclusion. In addition, diversity emerged as a consistent theme from each and every strategic planning team. Based on all of this input, we have developed a framework for a plan that we will begin implementing this fall. I will appoint a Diversity Advisory Council before the fall semester to provide counsel to me, the new Chief Diversity Officer and the administrative leadership team and help set priorities.

The diversity plan has four pillars:

• First, develop and implement a strategic plan to increase the diversity of the student body, staff, faculty and administration, with measurable goals, which will be a charge for the new Chief Diversity Officer.

• Second, promote greater cultural awareness and a sense of community, which is the focus of several initiatives launched last spring, such as the monthly student dialogue lunches and a planned lecture series.

• Third, assess and enhance the effectiveness of existing diversity initiatives and support services. As part of this effort, the Gantt Multicultural Center will become part of the Office of Diversity – to enhance coordination and better leverage the expertise and resources of each unit.

• Fourth, we will better document and communicate the history of Clemson, including the role of African Americans and other under-represented groups. We have initiated the process with state authorities to add a series of markers to campus to document this often overlooked part of our history- pending final board review and approval.

The board’s resolution about accurately portraying Clemson’s history will support this effort. I applaud the board for opening a discussion on Benjamin Tillman, and I look forward to assisting the task force with their work.  Evaluating, discussing, critiquing and debating important issues are what great universities do to arrive at the best solutions. Understanding and communicating the full story of Clemson’s history is an important part of creating a more inclusive and welcoming campus environment.

Finally — we presented the most strongly supported college reorganization model, and the board appreciated the logic and offered tentative approval, pending further development.  They, and we, understand that college reorganization can be quite challenging, and they encouraged us to continue to work on a reorganization plan that will not only provide optimal academic structures, but also minimal impact on administrative costs.

My sincere thanks to all of you who have participated in the strategic planning process, and to the leadership team of Dr. Ellen Granberg, Vice President Brett Dalton and – most of all – Provost Bob Jones, whose tireless efforts and constant encouragement have helped us reach this point.

As a next step, the Provost will appoint small leadership teams to refine the plans for board review in October. With their final approval, we anticipate launching the 2020Forward strategic plan January 1, 2016, and college reorganization July 1, 2016. We will continue to keep you informed on these important developments. Thank you for all you do for Clemson.

Sincerely,

Jim Clements