A diverse IU is the best IU

Recent initiative taken by the Black Student Union gives us an occasion to comment on the pressing issue of diversity in hiring. BSU representatives met Friday with the IU board of trustees, requesting that the board stay committed to diversity on campus, especially with respect to positions in the upper levels of administration. We're proud of the BSU and commend it for its involvement and concern. We hope that its actions serve as an example of the value of student participation -- after all, how many of you were up at 7:30 a.m. on a Friday meeting with the IU trustees? We're guessing not many.\nIU has historically suffered from the perception that it is not a diverse institution, which is an image that the University is taking steps to dispel. The trustees are correct to begin restructuring search and screen committees to include committee members of diverse backgrounds. Diversity in the search process contributes to a diverse applicant pool, which is essential to the University's broader mission, and by simply pursuing more diversity in our hiring we can improve the University in three profound ways.\nFirst, IU is in competition with other universities in the Big Ten. The University's commitment to diversity has a profound impact on our ability to attract more qualified students, staff, faculty and administrators. Whether we like it or not, IU is constantly waging a PR battle to attract the best and the brightest, and diversity is one among many important factors that potential applicants consider. \nSecond, diversity adds integrity to and improves quality of the decision-making process. It is the best way of ensuring that everyone's voice is being heard and can often contribute to the formulation of innovative and creative solutions that might not result from homogenous-thinking groups. IU has been criticized in the past for its lackluster and untimely responses to issues raised by different minority groups. Diversity in the upper administration would help the University tackle these types of issues with greater speed and cultural sensitivity. \nLastly, diversity is the foundation for a vibrant pluralistic society such as ours. Our ability to interact with people of diverse backgrounds broadens our perspective and provides us with vital experiences that will enable us to cope with a range of issues in the "real world." IU should make diversity a cornerstone of its mission because it will benefit us by enriching the campus culture. \nHaving said that, we reiterate our belief that applicants should ultimately be hired on their qualifications. But it's important the search process cast a wide-reaching net to attract stellar candidates. Finalists for positions at the upper levels of administration should be made known to the public. And once committees have reached their decisions, they should be required to explain their selection to the public. These recommendations are part of a larger effort geared toward achieving accountability and transparency in the decision-making process, especially as these decisions exert influence in all aspects of campus life.