Diversity grants open doors for needed funds
Campus Times
March 7, 1997
The distribution of 14 diversity grants to faculty is designed to assist
in spreading diversity issues across the University of La Verne community.
The grants were given out after applications were submitted by various
departments proposing the natures and outcomes of the programs and the amount
needed to fund them.
The diversity grant program is one of three programs funded by the James
Irvine Foundation, which has a total of one half a million dollars in funding.
The entire grant will fund research toward the success of first generation
students, the faculty diversified grants and minority teaching.
The faculty diversity grants were given $65,000 in funding, $45,000
of which has been granted to diversity programs and the remaining $20,000
for possible future program funding.
After applications were submitted, they went for review before a committee.
The committee is made up of Dr. Len Hightower, assistant to the president;
Dr. Mary Prieto-Bayard, assistant professor of behavioral science; Dr. Richard
Rose, assistant professor of religion and philosophy; Dr. Roger Russell,
director of the Counseling Center; and Eric Bishop, assistant professor
of journalism. The applicant could ask for any dollar amount they felt they
needed to fund their program, but the committee placed a cap on the dollar
amount they could be granted at $5,000. The grants ranged between $825 to
$5,000.
According to Dr. Hightower, the reason behind capping the total amount
was to allow more programs to be funded, so that the money went further.
The faculty receiving the grants are Drs. Rose, Prieto-Bayard, Russell,
Deborah Burris-Kitchen, associate professor of behavioral sciences; Al Clark,
assistant vice president of academic affairs; Modesto Hevia, associate professor
of psychology; Reed Gratz, professor music; David Flaten, professor of theater
arts; Valarie Jordan, professor of psychology; Don Hays, professor of education;
and Catherine Henley-Erickson, professor of English; Ruth Trotter, associate
professor of art; and Carol Morrow.
Dr. Clark proposed funding for purchasing hard to find music and the
visiting of cultural centers in the greater Los Angeles area. The music
is part of a humanities course.
He proposed a grant of $525 and received $825. The music Dr. Clark is
looking for is from India, South East Asia, China, Japan and Latin America.
The music will help "enhance the class," said Dr. Clark.
Other programs proposed range from a wide array of issues and subjects
dealing with diversity. Anywhere from the fine arts to religion, the criminal
justice system to gerontology, Latin America and even a pilot study on minority
students' attitudes toward "help."
Henley-Erickson proposed funding of $1,000, all of which she received
to put on a film series on diversity.
The series, "How Does Our Garden Grow? Films About Diversity,"
will feature one film per month and two films in April. Each film will be
followed by a panel discussion of one faculty member, one student and, if
possible, one member from outside of the University of La Verne community.
The series began with "Grand Canyon," which had a focus of
looking at the '90s and the multi-culture within it.
"Passion Fish" starring Alfre Woodard will be shown next Thursday
at 7 p.m. in La Fetra Auditorium
The films Henley-Erickson has chosen in her series will be coordinating
with events that are happening on campus, such as Women's History Month,
the International Student Celebration and a Latino Arts Festival are just
a few.
According to Henley-Erickson, the films are chosen carefully so students
can appreciate those different from them.
The programs supported by the grant will make it possible for the faculty
involved to work on issues important to them.
"I'm excited about it," said Dr. Hightower.
Scheduled for Cinco de Mayo, May 5, is the Latin Percussion Festival
that Dr. Gratz is organizing.
The festival will feature music from the Latin culture and will include
well known artists in the music industry.
According to Dr. Gratz, the festival is to bring out the music behind
the Latin culture and get the community involved.
According to Dr. Hightower, the issues of diversity and cultural pluralism
will remain a point of attention and faculty can share their results with
other faculty and the surrounding community.