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Mr. Hardymon called for a motion of approval. Mr. Dawson moved approval. Ms. Young seconded the motion. Mr. Hardymon asked if there were any comments or questions, and Dr. Dembo spoke.
Dr. Dembo made the following comments:
Fellow trustees, it is on the basis of my passion that I need to respond to this issue. First, I want to make it clear that my comments are not to impugn these two individuals, nor to imply that they are not qualified to serve on this foundation board. However, I would like to call attention to the fact that the Business Partnership Foundation Board is almost exclusively composed of white males. For example, out of the current 26 members only 2 are females, and one of them is our own trustee JoEtta Wickliffe, not that she does not count, but, that it sends a message to the public that the university was only able to find one other qualified woman outside our own academic community to serve on this board.
This is inconsistent with our own ethical principles and code of conduct that talk about diversity of thought, culture, gender, and ethnicity as one of our values. Strength is gained by having different beliefs and opinions around the table, and the result and outcome of any decision making is strengthened based on diverse input toward that decision making. Just look around this table and think. Our own Board of Trustees has that strength, and we are a strong board because of our own diversity.
Another point to be made is that this foundation board is associated with the Gatton College. One might ask the question: Does the composition of this board reflect the composition of the Gatton College? Currently, undergraduate female enrollment at the Gatton College is about 37 percent. If you look at the number of women on this board, that is 8 percent, and by adding two more white males, it will decrease that number even further.
I do not think that sets a good example, and even though Dean Sudharshan and Provost Smith indicate that the Gatton College is actively working to increase enrollment of women, there is a pipeline that has to be created, and it takes years sometimes to see the benefits. I do not think the same kind of pipeline has to be created to appoint qualified and interested people to a board like this.
Finally, let me close by saying that diversity is a goal that can only be achieved slowly, one step at a time making consistent progress with each and every decision along the way with that as a desired outcome. I think it takes courage and persistence to do it, to strive for inclusivity. When we discussed a diversity issue at our October meeting regarding the Mining Engineering Foundation Board, President Todd told us we will have to do better. Well in my opinion, here is an opportunity to do better. So, before I get to hear what my fellow trustees have to say, I will close with two questions: If not now, when? And if not us, who?