College has mixed results on affirmative action

The recently released Affirmative Action Annual Report showed that the College had a successful year recruiting minorities, but fell short of meeting other goals. The Trustees established goals for faculty appointments of 33 percent women and 10 percent minorities. During the calendar year covered by the report, 18 tenure positions were open on the faculty for Arts and Sciences; five of these were filled by women, and two were filled by minorities. This was the first time in five years that the faculty of Arts and Sciences did not meet the appointment goal for women.

In the area of administrative and professional appointments, the College did not meet its goal of appointing women to half of the openings, but it exceeded its goal for minority appointments.

Although the College has successfully recruited female and minority candidates for several years, their overall percentage as part of the College's personnel mix has remained relatively low. Women and minorities, in certain employment categories, leave the College at very high rates. Although there was a marked improvement this year, minority faculty still leave the College at twice the rate of their non-minority counterparts. Other minority employees leave the College at two and three times the rate of non-minorities. The report called the trend "alarming," noting that "in the long run, (it) will continue to undermine our strong effort and results in minority recruitment." Ngina Lythcott, the College's affirmative action officer said that besides professional advancement, female and minority employees mentioned the lack of opportunity for training and development and incidents of intolerance as reasons for leaving. Specifically cited were the continued use of the Indian symbol, the destruction of the shanties, and personal attacks on individuals by The Revieiv.