UC San Diego Committed
to Addressing Campus Diversity

Discussions underway to implement Black Student Union recommendations, increase diversity and address campus climate issues

March 01, 2010

By Judy Piercey

Officials at the University of California, San Diego are committed to working with the Black Student Union to address and implement positive change on the campus.  UC San Diego Chancellor, Marye Anne Fox, noted,“We are hopeful that we will be able to come to agreement on the climate issues that have been raised by students over the last few weeks.”

UC San Diego pledges to address matters that will ease campus unrest and create a climate that is safe for students, faculty and staff from all backgrounds and ethnicities.  This promise includes the Chancellor’s personal commitment to making diversity issues a continuing campus priority; improving the overall campus climate to welcome and respect differences; improving the compositional diversity of the campus; and developing a curriculum that reflects the multi-cultural richness of the region.

“We – students and administration – are united on this front,” added Fox.
UC San Diego Police continue to investigate Thursday’s hate-related incident that occurred in Geisel Library.  The police have had discussions and consulted with both the San Diego District Attorney and the U.S. Attorney.  The student has been suspended while the investigation continues.

Other actions implemented by the university to date include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Creating a task force to focus on recruiting minority faculty;
• Forming a commission to address the campus climate;
• Continuing to fund Faculty-Student Mentor Programs;
• Ensuring ongoing funding for the Chancellor’s Diversity Office;
• Identifying space for an African American Resource Center on Campus; and
• Meeting with Black Student Union members at least once every academic quarter.

To assist in keeping the campus and community informed, visit the UC San Diego “Battle Hate” website at http://battlehate.ucsd.edu for details and updates of actions underway.

Media Contact: Judy Piercey, 858-534-6128 or jpiercey@ucsd.edu

Christine Clark, 858-534-7618 or ceclark@ucsd.edu