Office of Diversity pursues applications despite hiring freeze

Daily Egyptian
By Christina Spakousky
Published: Sunday, September 27, 2009
Updated: Sunday, September 27, 2009

University officials are reviewing applications for the associate chancellor for the Office of Diversity, attempting to fill the position by Jan. 1.

Chancellor Sam Goldman said the university has been trying to fill the position since September 2008, which is why the search is immune from the university’s recently announced hiring freeze.
According to the job description, the associate chancellor will serve as chief diversity officer and report to Goldman. The office is responsible for several operational units including the Affirmative Action Office, the Black Resource Center and University Women’s Professional Advancement.
Sept. 11 marked the official application deadline, and Harold Bardo, chair of the search committee, said they are now evaluating candidate qualifications.
Bardo said the search committee consists of 11 people from various departments on campus including Disability Support Services, the Alumni Association and Student Affairs.
Around 10 applications have been received and it would take two to three weeks to get through them, Bardo said.
“We’ve asked the committee to review the applications as they come in. It’s (now) a matter of sitting and discussing how compatible the applicant is,” Bardo said.
Despite drafts of proposed changes to the position, Bardo said no changes were made and none will be made in the future.
“The position has been advertised and we can’t change the responsibilities,” he said.
Linda Smith, interim associate chancellor for diversity, said she applied for the permanent position but has no idea how many candidates she is up against.

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