An Ohio State professor of mathematics has expressed concern over OSU’s Diversity Action Plan, calling it “unclear” and “one-sided.” “The report gives recommendations on fixing many problems without comprehensive (or any) analysis of what the problems really are, or what are the sources or reasons of the problem,” said Boris Mityagin. Mityagin noted OSU’s graduation and retention rates. In 1999, he said, the six-year graduation rates for white students was 57.6 percent and for black students was 37.2 percent. Mityagin said this data could mean blacks are being discriminated against by OSU instructors, so they succeed less in the classroom. On the other hand, it could also mean the admission policies and practices at OSU give blacks an unfair advantage, thereby enrolling less qualified applicants whose lack of skills and preparation for college-level work translate into low graduation rates. “Of course, other socio-psychological and socio-economic conjectures could be legitimate and seriously tested,” Mityagin said. “Which is more likely to be true? The Diversity Action Committee has not done any analysis of such competing conjectures.” In addition, Mityagin noted that diversity could refer to racial diversity, gender diversity, a diversity of ideas or any number of other qualities. “The definition is not clear,” Mityagin said. “And how can you achieve diversity if you don’t know what it is?” Carole Anderson, dean of the College of Nursing and co-chair of the committee that produced the Diversity Action Plan, said the plan clearly states that OSU has defined diversity as “difference, variance and heterogeneity.” However, she added, the university has chosen to concentrate on racial, ethnic and gender-related diversity, because this is where the most work needs to be done. “We’re aware that there are many different groups and different issues, but we need to focus,” Anderson said. Since the meaning of the statistical data presented within the plan is unclear, Mityagin said, a statement such as “Today, in the year 2000, we have a university environment that both perpetuate racism, sexism and homophobia and give privilege to white, heterosexual males” is unwarranted. Mityagin said that when the committee makes such an emotionally charged statement, it must back it up with facts and figures that hold a specific meaning. “You must be specific and provide actual dates and numbers,” Mityagin said. “This is not just a philosophical discussion — this is about real people.” Edward Crenshaw, associate professor of sociology, noted that the Diversity Action Plan conveyed a sense that OSU has engaged in “a lot of wrongdoing,” and to him, the university seems like the last place one would find such discrimination. He called the Diversity Action Plan “a dinosaur.” “Plans such as these were very common in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s,” Crenshaw said. “It seems to come from the top down, without leaving much room for autonomy on the part of individual departments.” He is afraid that the university is trying to do too much too fast, he said, adding that most universities have favored a more subtle approach. The low representation of minorities holding down senior and associate faculty positions is a reflection of the pool of applicants, he said, citing a 1996 study which found that only 3.5 percent of doctorates awarded went to minorities. On the other hand, David Ashley, dean of the College of Engineering and a member of the Diversity Action Plan committee, pointed out that colleges and universities can and are striving to take steps to increase the number of well-qualified minority applicants. Diversity and high qualifications go hand-in-hand, he said. “But different units have different priorities,” he said. “For instance, in the College of Engineering, the under-representation of women faculty is an issue.” The data contained within the Diversity Action Plan doesn’t prove it, Mityagin said. “The report is one-sided,” Mityagin said. “It doesn’t include different points of view and does not provide any argument to justify their point of view and recommendations.” Anderson argued that the data on the graduation rate of minority students shows that “we need a map for action.” “The plan is just an introduction to what we feel is important,” Anderson said. “We feel that the university needs to be more diverse, and the president and provost requested that we come up with an action plan. So we {the committee} suggested some steps.” Another concern that Mityagin voiced was that the plan “puts us on the borderline between legal and illegal” and might lead to lawsuits initiated by students and faculty who believe that they are being slighted in favor of minority persons with lesser qualifications, just so institutions can meet their quotas. He cited this April’s Zogby Academic Life Survey, which showed that “the issue of ethnic diversity stands out as an area where students disagree with current trends in college education.” While 84.3 percent of students said ethnic diversity on campus is important, 86.4 percent still oppose racial preferences in admissions, favoring fairness instead. Anderson and Ashley, too, emphasized the importance of talent and skills. If a candidate is found to be highly-qualified and is also a member of a minority group, then OSU needs to be all the more diligent when it comes to recruiting that person, Ashley said. “We have goals, not quotas,” Anderson said. The face of the university needs to better resemble the face of the entire world, she said. Mityagin, who immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1978, said because he grew up in a country ruled by a totalitarian government, he may be unusually sensitive to such administrative initiatives. “The building of a communist society where everyone is the same — that began with good intentions,” he said, adding that such an environment was hardly ideal. He pointed out that many of his colleagues share his point of view, but may be afraid to speak up for fear of repercussions. Crenshaw also noted that anyone who questions what is perceived the popular belief of the establishment risks much, including their reputation.
OSU prof challenges Diversity Plan
Published: Wednesday, October 18, 2000
Updated: Sunday, June 21, 2009
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