Consequently, while a few departments flourish, many others are left to struggle through their own fits and starts as they try to develop a successful program of their own. What is needed, and the Black Graduate Student Association issued a similar report two years ago, is a system-wide program of recruitment and retention. Ironically, a wonderful program may be in place and currently utilized by a department, but that information is lost in the wilderness. The Trustees may be the only group powerful enough to demand of each department a detailed accounting of minority recruitment efforts along with a summary of how successful those efforts have been. It is not enough to write a flowing statement of commitment.
Someone has to requisition accountability.
If the above information is not currently being sought by the Trustees, then it should be. The Black Graduate Student Association has tried to ascertain the information and we've run into a brick wall. Hopefully, your efforts, if undertaken, will meet with more success. We all should be encouraged by the good number of people who have enjoyed their experience on this campus, me included. However, it is frustrating to hear of colleagues in other departments who have struggled, and failed, to successfully complete their programs because of problems that could have been easily remedied.