Miami board of trustees thinks about diversity at Sept. meeting

BY KERRY McFADDEN
Miami University journalism student

Between admissions reports, campus surveys and regional campus events, the theme of Friday's meeting of the Miami University Board of Trustees was diversity.

The meeting opened with a detailed presentation by Ron Scott, associate vice president for institutional diversity, about an upcoming campus climate survey. The survey -- which will include comprehensive questions about race and ethnicity, gender expression and religion -- will investigate the way different students experience Miami. It will also give the university evidence of issues that it can later address.

"It is all about campus culture. It's all about how people feel here," Scott said in his presentation, noting that the phrase "campus climate" wasn't actually the best description of the survey's topic. He called the project an "opportunity" to learn more about students and faculty.

In the short term, one of the main goals of the survey is that everyone participates, but even Scott admitted, "that's being optimistic."

Assuming that the project follows its ambitious schedule, collected data will be available in February, with a report ready by March.

Partnering with Cincinnati schools

In other matters, Miami President Greg Crawford told the board about a new partnership with Cincinnati Public Schools, among other topics. A new college readiness program would help make Miami more accessible to Cincinnati students, he said, with a presentation that highlighted "access to highly talented and diverse students" as a benefit of the partnership.

The goal for the program is to have eight to 10 students participate in its pilot in 2018. To be a viable option, Miami would provide scholarships covering the full cost of attendance outside of students' expected family contribution.

As for the current Miami freshman class, both Crawford and the board's Committee for Academics and Student Affairs boasted about the exceptional diversity of the youngest cohort. Forty-three states and 18 countries were represented during freshman move-in, and a total of 17 percent of all American first-years are diverse as measured by race, ethnicity, ability level, gender identity or religion. That is the highest level of diversity seen in any incoming class, Committee Chair Terry Hershey said in her report.

The board also learned that Miami's Hamilton campus celebrated international diversity last week. A ceremony for 75 newly naturalized citizens took place on campus Thursday as part of an observation of Constitution Day.

Financial matters

The board also voted to allow the issuance of $22 million in bonds. The move would allow David Creamer, senior vice president for finance and business services and treasurer, to issue the bonds as needed. He earlier said he is not likely to do so at current rates, but will have the liberty to do so in the future to pay off debts related to campus construction.

Full minutes from the board meeting and subcommittee meetings will be posted on the Board of Trustees page. Students and faculty can expect to see requests for participation in the campus climate survey soon this semester.

Photo: Ron Scott will oversee a campus culture survey later this semester. -- Photo by Kerry McFadden