Dear Trustees Harry Gonso, Melanie Walker, MaryEllen Bishop, Donna Spears and James Morris,
As per the mission statement, IU-Bloomington is committed to “full diversity.” Additionally, the leadership statement for the IU presidential search details that the best candidates will demonstrate a majority of seventeen attributes and characteristics, which includes:
“A passion for educating students and changing lives; a deep commitment to increasing access to higher education in the state, including an emphasis on underrepresented and first-generation college students.”
“A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; inspires and expects a diverse student body, faculty, and staff; promotes multiculturalism and anti-racism.”
To that end, the Bloomington Faculty Council Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee formally requests that the process and criteria for determining the next IU president include the following considerations:
The search committee’s advisory committee will expect from the search firm a pool of candidates that is robustly diverse and representative of a spectrum of traditionally underrepresented identity groups.
The advisory committee will expect from the search firm a pool of candidates with expertise and a proven track record of success in systemic culture change vis-à-vis DEI.
The advisory committee will meet with the BFC DEI committee for input regarding the process and criteria for hiring the next IU president.
The search committee be expanded to include the directors of IU’s cultural centers and others who represent less visible underrepresented groups, including people with disabilities, first-generation students and others.
The search committee include those experienced in organizational and systemic change processes, preferably through the lens of DEI.
The search committee will only recommend final candidates to the IU Board of Trustees with a proven commitment and deep experience in successfully addressing structural barriers to DEI in other organizations and complex systems.
The IU Board of Trustees will only hire a new president with a proven commitment and deep experience in successfully addressing structural barriers to DEI in other organizations and complex systems.
As the search for the next president moves forward, we ask to be kept apprised of the plan to ensure that all finalists are fully committed, highly experienced and thoroughly capable of leading a comprehensive long-term DEI initiative for IU into the 21st century.
Please know that the BFC DEI committee stands ready to support this critical endeavor.
Sincerely,
The Members of the Bloomington Faculty Council Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Frank Diaz, Associate Professor of Music, co-chair
Sylvia Martinez, Associate Professor of Education, co-chair
