
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 19, 1995                   TAG: 9503200065
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: VICTORIA BARASCH LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

UVA LOOKS INTO ADDING DIVERSITY VICE PRESIDENT

The University of Virginia, prodded by its student council, is researching whether to create a vice presidency for diversity.

UVa President John T. Casteen III said he doubted the university would add the position, but he has formed a committee to look into the possibility.

``Other universities have backed away from it, largely because of the realization that the title they have created is largely symbolic,'' Casteen said. ``I am simply not persuaded that this is a good thing for the university.''

But the president of the student council, Terry A.C. Gray, said the position would help UVa focus its efforts to promote diversity.

``There isn't any kind of wide-based program that ... really incorporates diversity as a fundamental part of education at the university,'' he said.

``If a vice president is not the best way to ... deal with the issues, then what in fact is?''

The idea was sparked by a protest by black students last spring about lack of attention to minority issues on campus. Gray proposed it to Casteen in September.

Most universities do not have high-level administrative positions for diversity. But Mary Washington College has a vice president for multicultural affairs and James Madison University has an associate vice president for multicultural student services.

Carlos Brown, a vice president of the UVa Student Council, said he is open to alternatives for highlighting minority concerns.

``As long as that function is served, I'll be satisfied, because it will be more than what we have now,'' he added.

by CNB