 |
|
News
April 1, 2008
For immediate release
UC Santa Barbara’s Gevirtz School holds forum to bridge the study of diversity and institutional practice
The last session of UC Santa Barbara’s Gevirtz School class “Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Schools and Universities” this winter quarter featured a forum on the topic “Enrolling and Retaining Diversity at UCSB.” Graduate students in the course were joined by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Michael Young, Director of Admissions Christine Van Gieson, and Early Academic Outreach Director Britt Ortiz. Moderated by Donna Coyne, Associate Director of Admissions and an Educational Leadership and Organizations doctoral student in the School’s Department of Education, the panel allowed students to contemplate what they learned in the classroom and question if the research and theory they had been studying actually described the real world experiences of several UCSB administrators.
Joined by other Gevirtz School students, faculty, and Dean Jane Close Conoley, the group’s conversation included issues of campus culture and climate, high-stakes testing in admissions policies, transfer issues for community college students, retention of underrepresented students, early academic outreach, and Proposition 209.
Taught by Dr. Patricia Marin, the course considered changing demographics in schools and universities and the resulting realities, challenges, and opportunities faced by students, educators, and institutions. Specific topics discussed included the impact of student diversity on teaching, learning, and research; classroom and campus climate; critical mass; as well as issues of educational law, policy, and practice.
[Patricia Marin is available for interviews; contact George Yatchisin at 805 893 5789]
– end –