6
Wednesday, April 13, 1988 / University Daily Kansan
Minority Continued from p. 1
said Harold Rosson, associate dean of engineering.
And because of a high national demand, salaries at schools such as KU are often not large enough to satisfy positions attractive to blacks.
Robert Sanders, professor of biochemistry and associate dean of the graduate school, said that salaries were the overriding factor that determined where black faculty accepted jobs.
The problem worsens when universities such as KU have to compete against the private sector, which is willing to pay competitive salaries to attract black employees.
Unattractive location
But Pennington disagreed that salary levels were the main factor in attracting black faculty.
"There is the implication that the almighty dollar sign keeps black faculty running around," she said.
Instead, location seems to be an important factor in attracting black faculty. she said.
The large number of black faculty at black colleges illustrates that their foremost desire is to be with their peers. Black faculty are highly concentrated at the approximately 115 black colleges in the country, she said, and the salaries there are not as competitive as at other universities.
Pennington said that many black faculty were looking for a critical mass of people with the same social background that extended beyond the workplace.
Jerry Bailey, associate dean of education, said he had seen at least one black professor leave KU, in part, because the lack of social contact in Lawrence with other blacks.
In telephone interviews, each of Kansas's Regents universities and many of KU's peer schools cited the institution as a better recruitment of black faculty.
Most said that Midwestern schools, located far from urban areas with high black populations, were unattractive to black professors looking for jobs. This bias against the Midwest is often attributed to a lack of
minority professionals in the community and a lack of social and cultural activities for blacks.
Low commitment
Although universities are not always able to control factors such as location and a small pool of applicants, some black faculty say that universities don't try hard enough with the factor they can control: commitment to recruit and retain black faculty.
Al Okahara, assistant director of Affirmative Action at the University of Oregon, admitted that his school tried that hard to recruit black faculty.
At KU, some black faculty complain that nationally, not enough blacks are being considered as job applicants. Those who are are often considered merely for the sake of appearance.
Sadye Logan, KU associate professor of social welfare, said the problem was widespread.
"It's simply an attitude that is entrenched in the system. There is a lack of commitment to motivate commitment at a minimum," she said.
Logan said that black faculty might feel that they were wanted only to fill an institutional requirement.
Adams, who was a leading black journalist during the civil rights movement before he came to KU, said part of the problem was that minorities seldom were invited to campus.
"In every group of hires, the University should insist that underrepresentation
Adams said it was ironic that the School of Education had only one black faculty member in light of the historically high number of blacks in education from the days of segregation.
Once blacks do get jobs at universities like KU, they sometimes experience a lack of support from colleaques and students.
Logan said that blacks sometimes had to be superhuman for any form of recognition or support. Sometimes tenure committees might not consider important the kinds of research black faculty often are interested in, such as black and intercultural studies.
spend counseling black students can detract from their available time for research to gain tenure.
Also, the time black faculty have to
For some black faculty there is a kind of five- to six-year revolving door in terms of gaining tenure, Logan said. When the time comes to grant tenure to black faculty, committees sometimes don't take these counseling and research efforts into account.
Another aspect of the environment that black faculty encounter at universities is the stress associated with being black.
Sometimes black professors have students who are uncomfortable because the student have never had a black teacher before.
"Black faculty know that there are no blatant, overt acts of racism, but are aware that students may resist some things." Adams said.
For example, he said students sometimes may not accept credible information from journals published by blacks because of prejudice.
Affirmative Action
Even if many of the barriers that deter black faculty from accepting jobs at universities could be eliminated, the ultimate power in hiring new faculty most often rests with the faculty in the department. Most faculty members usually make up the majority on search committees.
"Some whites still prefer, consciously or subconciously, to work with other whites. White males usually fill open positions," said William Harvey, associate professor of education at North Carolina State University in Raleigh.
And these faculty usually are white.
Harvey, and some professors at KU, complain that Affirmative Action offices are monitoring colleges because the process than the hiring of blacks.
"It's different than being the office that says you really should look at this position and hire a minority person," Pennington said.
Jim Turner, director of Affirmative action at KU, would not discuss the issue.
Jane Rowlett, director of Affirmative Action at Kansas State University, was the presiding officer of Affirmative Action depended on the commitment of the university.
Just in time for the parade!
Pier 1 imports
738 Massachusetts
Mon.-Sat. 9:30-5:30
Thurs. 9:30-8:30
Sun. 1-5
- Roses $5 a dozen (cash and carry)
- "I ♥ KU" balloons (while supplies last) $1 each
DICOHA
lawrence FLORAL & GIFT
939 MASSACHUSETTS 843-3255
LAWRENCE, KANSAS 66044
APlaceToDiscover.
If you need abortion or birth control services, we can help. Confidential pregnancy testing Safe, affordable abortion
Confidential pregnancy testing • safe,
services • Birth control • Tubal ligation • Gyna
Testing and treatment for
sexually transmitted diseases.
Providing quality health care
to women since 1974.
Insurance, VISA &
MasterCard accepted.
For information and appointments (913) 345-1400
Fax Face Number 1-800-227-1918
The University of Missouri-Kansas City College of Arts & Sciences Continuing Education Division presents the
AIDS SYMPOSIUM Credit Option Learn the facts about AIDS from the experts while earning college credit
Fri. & Sat., April 22 & 23
A unique opportunity to hear and interact with national, state, and local experts on many facets of the AIDS issue, and to receive one semester-hour of graduate or undergraduate credit in Biology, Sociology, Philosophy, or Administration of Justice. You do not have to be a UMKC student to receive credit and no transcripts are required.
Academic Requirements
1) Attendance at the symposium Friday, April 22, 8-5 p.m., and Saturday, April 23 from 8 a.m. ... Noon
Tuition
2) Class meeting on Saturday, April 23 from 1 - 5 p.m.
3) Journal of the conference. (Details of this written assignment will be mailed to all students.)
Freshman/Sophomore $49.60
Junior/Senior $54.90
Graduate $66.50
Plus symposium registration fee of $15
(No out-of-state tuition required for up to 6 University of Missouri credit hours this semester.)
Register early. Space is limited!
Register early. Space is limited:
Only a paid registration guarantees your space at the symposium.
Call (816)276-2736 for credit card registration or fill out the registration form and mail it with your check.
AIDS SYMPOSIUM CREDIT REGISTRATION FORM
MAIL TO: University of Missouri-Kansas City, College of Arts & Sciences Continuing Education Division, 5100 Rockill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110
I am registering for credit in (circle one):
Biology Sociology Philosophy Administration of Justice
LEGAL NAME IN FULL (PLEASE PRINT):
ADDRESS
DATE OF BIRTH
TELEPHONE: Day
SOCIAL SEC. NO.
Do you have a college degree? yes ___ no Highest degree earned Year
Do you have a degree, how graduate, how many hours? Name of last school:
Send only the tuition fee. You will receive instructions on how to pay the $15 symposium registration fee.
Make check payable to: UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
University of Missouri-Kansas City College of Arts & Sciences Continuing Education
an equal opportunity institution
Graduating Seniors Van Chevrolet invites YOU to make the BEST Deal and receive an additional $400
Special College Credit Program!
Van Chevrolet $400 Rebate for Graduating Seniors!
Ask about The Van Plan!
GUARANTEED FINANCING FOR GRADUATING SENIORS
KC's #1 Volume Dealer! Over 1000 new units to choose from!
Just off I-35 on 63rd in Johnson Co.
Merriam, Kansas
913-384-1500