Presidents Say They Have Organized Diversity Events

A survey of college presidents by the American Council on Education has found that many report having taken actions to deal with diversity concerns on campus. Among the findings:

• Nearly half of four-year presidents and 13 percent of two-year presidents say students have organized around concerns about racial diversity.
• Eighty-six percent of four-year presidents and 71 percent of two-year presidents have met with student organizers more than once.
• More than half of presidents say the racial climate on their campuses has become more of a priority compared to three years ago.
• The most common action over the last five years, for both two-year and four-year institutions as well as public and private institutions, has been initiatives aimed at increasing diversity among students, faculty and/or staff members.

An Inside Higher Ed survey of presidents released this week found that many college presidents see problems with race relations in higher ed nationally, but most think their own campuses are doing well.