Columbia University
PA-5: Assessing Diversity and Equity

Each year, the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Planning conducts an assessment of ten-year trend lines for each school showing the percentage of female and underrepresented minority undergraduate students, graduate students, tenure-track faculty, and tenured faculty. In 2010 and 2011, as part of a University-wide initiative to enhance faculty and pipeline diversity, the Provost of the University and the Vice Provost for Academic Planning met with each School Dean and asked them to establish specific diversity goals, a three-year strategy to achieve its goals, and methods to assess and communicate progress. To assist the Deans with their planning, the Office for Academic Planning provided them with availability analyses from Affirmative Action Plans, their ten-year student and faculty diversity assessments, and guidance on formulating priorities in light of academic and financial considerations and pipeline realities. School goals and strategies, developed in collaboration with faculty members at each School, vary depending on hiring needs, pipeline variability, and similar considerations. The Schools’ plans address key points of the faculty career cycle, with specific strategies for achieving the diversity goal. Schools submitted their plans to the Provost and the implementation process is underway.