Colorado University Athletics
CU Campus, Athletics Continue Focus On Diversity
November 12, 2015 | Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Earlier this week, the University of Missouri found itself on the unwanted side of the national spotlight when a weekend of turbulence and tension produced the resignation of MU President Tim Wolfe.
At virtually the same time as events in Missouri were unfolding, the University of Colorado was hosting its annual Diversity Summit on the Boulder campus.
While the two events occurring in the same week were pure coincidence, the juxtaposition of the two was striking.
At Missouri, upheaval occurred, evidently the result of long-simmering tensions on the MU campus. In Boulder, the Diversity Summit signaled a continuing proactive effort by CU officials to ensure such an atmosphere does not have the opportunity to fester in Boulder.
No doubt, the situation at Missouri caught the attention of university administrators across the nation, especially when the school's football team became involved. It wasn't until members of the Tigers football team threatened to boycott Saturday's game with BYU that Wolfe resigned.
But it was the chain of events that led to the tumult that will no doubt have administrators everywhere taking a long look at their current diversity and inclusion efforts on their campuses.
“Events at the University of Missouri underscore the importance of campus leaders articulating their values, and the campus' values, around diversity and inclusion,” CU Chancellor Phil DiStefano said earlier this week. “I believe we try to do that here — but I also know we can always do better, and I'm committed to doing better.”
Issues of diversity and inclusion have long been a priority for officials and students on the CU campus. But instead of waiting for events to force reaction, CU campus officials have been aggressively proactive in stepping up the process.
“We are engaged in a Diversity and Inclusive Excellence planning process that we hope will help to begin to transform our campus culture on issues of diversity and inclusion and set us on a new course,” DiStefano said. “While that process continues, I am encouraging our community to engage these issues honestly and to acknowledge we have much work to do.”
That emphasis has spread to departments across campus — including the CU Athletic Department, which earlier this year formed its own Diversity and Inclusive Excellence initiative.
“We are quite cognizant of the important role athletics plays not only on campus, but in our community and in society in general,” CU athletic director Rick George said. “We believe we can be a strong partner in diversity and inclusive excellence on our campus by creating an environment where our athletes feel safe.”
No doubt, the involvement of the football team in the situation at Missouri turned the nation's attention to the school's athletic department. CU officials believe their proactive approach can not only help preclude similar circumstances from occurring in Boulder, but also serve in a leadership role.
“The platform that is provided college athletics gives us a chance to make a major impact not only at the University of Colorado, but throughout the community, and we are proud to be able to play a role in that process,” George said.
DiStefano said the Athletic Department is serving as a role model for the rest of campus.
“I am hopeful it does have a big impact,” DiStefano said. “I applaud the leadership of Rick George and his staff, as well as all our players and coaches, for how they have embraced Diversity and Inclusive Excellence as a core value. They are leaders and role models for the rest of our campus, and the council is an idea I would like to see take root in other units on campus.”
Roger Pielke is a CU professor and political scientist who is helping the Athletic Department implement a new sports governance initiative. He's watched the events at Missouri — and around the nation — closely, and said CU's efforts in the areas of diversity and inclusion should be an ongoing process.
"When universities are at their best, we offer safe spaces for difficult conversations and the open exchange of diverse perspectives,” Pielke said. “But striving for such excellence requires constant effort among students, faculty and staff, particularly a willingness to listen and to respect the views of others, even when we may sometime disagree. I am proud that the University of Colorado never stops working on achieving these admirable objectives."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
