3:48 p.m., April 16, 2008--UD President Patrick Harker has appointed a Diversity Task Force to conduct a review of diversity as an integral component of the University's mission and to recommend actions that will support the University's commitment to it.

"In its recent report, the Strategic Planning Committee identified diversity as one of the essential commitments forming the foundation necessary for this institution to achieve true prominence," Harker said. "Diversity must, as the committee points out, be 'an integral and vital part of everyday life.'

"I look to this group of talented individuals to evaluate what is currently being done, to determine what other things we might be doing and to propose specific steps and actions that we can take as a University to strengthen diversity on our campus."

Charges to the task force include
• reviewing what is currently being done at UD to foster diversity and evaluating what works, what doesn't work and what could be done better;
• identifying best practices from other institutions; and
• developing an action plan for enhancing diversity on the campus.

Co-chairing the task force are Margaret Andersen, Edward F. and Elizabeth Goodman Rosenberg Professor of Sociology, and Araya Debessay, professor of accounting.

Members are Alice Ba, associate professor of political science and international relations; Tom Buchanan, chairperson of the Department of Mechanical Engineering; Pam Cook, professor of mathematics and associate dean of the College of Engineering; Monica Dominguez, assistant professor of art history; Becki Fogerty, manager and program head in the Office of Women's Affairs; Alan Fox, associate professor of philosophy; Norma Gaines-Hanks, assistant professor of individual and family studies; Carla Guerron-Montero, assistant professor of anthropology; James Jones, professor of Black American studies; Francis Kwansa, associate professor of hotel, restaurant and institutional management; J.P. Laurenceau, associate professor of psychology; W.O. Maloba, assistant vice president for affirmative action and multicultural programs and associate professor of history, Black American studies and women's studies; Kassandra Moye, director of the Center for Black Culture; Sharon Neal, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry; Kate Pohlig, associate director of athletics; Havidán Rodríguez, vice provost for academic affairs; Michael Vaughan, senior assistant dean of the College of Engineering; and Patricia Plummer Wilson, vice president and chief of staff.