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UMW still struggling to woo blacks

University of Mary Washington administrators discuss diversity

BY JEFF BRANSCOME

Date published: 11/17/2007

BY JEFF BRANSCOME

The number of black students applying to the University of Mary Washington has increased in recent years, but their enrollment has remained relatively flat.

UMW enrolled 27 new black students this year, the same as last year. Meanwhile, a total of 175 applied, 33 more than last year.

UMW officials say the difference is partly because of competing schools, such as the University of Virginia, which have more money and stronger social networks for minorities.

"Once we get them in the pool, we probably need to do a much better job to close the deal," board of visitors member Randall R. Eley said yesterday.

The report on diversity at yesterday's board of visitors meeting came in the wake of news about a racially insensitive flier displayed outside a dorm room door at UMW's Jefferson Hall. Eley asked for the briefing at a September meeting.

Diversity has been a longstanding issue at UMW, with some joking that the letters stand for "University of Mostly White." But this fall, the university did enroll 95 Hispanic and Asian freshman, 19 more than it did last year.

"To a certain degree, you're looking at a supply-and-demand problem," said Martin Wilder, UMW's vice president for enrollment.

UMW has a slightly higher percentage of black students than James Madison University, but is behind three other state competitors: U.Va., Virginia Tech and the College of William & Mary.

"I've really been struggling to get my hands around this issue," said acting President Rick Hurley. "It's a matter of focus. Over time, I think that priority and that focus has drifted."

In an interview after the discussion, Hurley said he was referring to the absence of a vice president responsible for diversity initiatives. He said he wants to craft a diversity plan for the next president to consider.

The school has numerous efforts in place to support diversity, including recruitment sessions at diverse high schools and an on-campus visitation day for minority students that coincides with the annual Multicultural Fair.

The school also recruited its first-ever students from Afghanistan this semester.

Next semester, UMW's multicultural center will introduce a mentorship program aimed at minority students. Student mentors will help out freshmen both academically and socially.

Still, it's hard to compete with the larger colleges because of their sports programs, sorority and fraternity life and deep pockets, administrators say.

"It's a tough league to be competing in," Wilder said.

In other business, the board increased Hurley's salary by 4.35 percent, to $234,787 a year.

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Date published: 11/17/2007

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