The President’s Diversity Advisory Community Council (PDACC) will meet for the second time on Thursday, Aug. 7.
The 21-member council of community members from both the Eugene area and from throughout the state of Oregon is charged with providing candid input to the university’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to further the university’s mission of enhancing access, retention and opportunity for traditionally underrepresented and underserved groups.
“This council is very important to me. As president, I personally believe that diversity is central to our academic mission,” said Gottfredson. “I appreciate that this concept was proposed by community stakeholders who aspire to see the university make positive changes and succeed.”
At the opening of its first meeting on May 15, Gottfredson highlighted his priorities, including:
- Significantly increasing the number of underrepresented faculty;
- Increasing the number of underrepresented students;
- Fostering and enhancing community partnerships;
- Enabling the mobilization of resources to support underrepresented and underserved students at the university; and
- Creating a diverse and supportive campus environment.
The council will meet on a quarterly schedule that includes a full day meeting once a year. Members of the committee will also work in small subcommittees with members of the ELT and other university staff.
Related Story: Announcement of PDACC from President Gottfredson
—By Jen McCulley, Public Affairs Communications