Multi-Ethnic Faculty & Staff Caucus

 

Brief Overview of the History of the Minority Faculty/Staff Caucus

 

The Caucus was begun in the early 1980s by several faculty members who felt that ethnic minorities at Colorado State University needed a formal group to address their concerns. At that time, there was no distinction between academic faculty and administrative professional staff. Both classifications were considered "general faculty."

As part of CSU's commitment to diversity, the Diversity Distinguished Service Awards were created in 1987 to honor ethnically diverse faculty who had made outstanding contributions within the University, as well as surrounding community. In 1988, the Martin Luther King Scholarship Award was initiated through the Caucus. This endowment provides full financial support for one academic year to a CSU graduate student. In the early 1990s, the Caucus invited State Classified employees to join them in their endeavors, and the first Diversity Award to State Classified employees was made in 1996.

Over the years, Caucus activities have included:

  • Sponsoring Open Fora with Dr. Albert C. Yates, President
  • Sponsoring Open Fora with the Provost/Academic Vice President, Vice President for Administrative Services, and Vice President for Student Affairs
  • Establishing the New Beginnings Program for Academic Faculty
  • Hosting workshops, seminars, and retreats
  • Hosting the annual Diversity Luncheon, at which the Diversity Awards and MLK Scholarship are presented
  • Securing a monetary award for the Diversity Services Awards, starting in 2002
  • Providing support for University facilities
  • Providing input to the development of University policies through the Strategic Planning process
  • Serving on selection committees for key University searches

PAST CHAIRS OF CAUCUS:

Dr. Grant Lee
Dr. Laura Gore
Dr. Rajinda Ranu
Dr. Ramesh Akkina
Dr. Norberto Valdez

While the caucus itself no longer exists, the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity continue to foster and support the Multi-Ethnic Faculty and Staff awards each year which are presented at the University's annual Celebrate Colorado State! awards ceremony.