NYC Lawmakers Say More Diversity Needed in University Faculties
NYC Lawmakers Say More Diversity Needed in University Faculties
Council Members Ydanis Rodriguez and Deborah Rose hold meeting to discuss issues at colleges in the city.
Some New York City lawmakers say they aren't pleased with the lack of diverse professors in universities across the city.
According to Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, many schools have a higher percentage of minority students than faculty. Councilman Rodriguez heads the Council's Committee on Higher Education. He says students could get more out of their education.
"It [diversity in university staff] shows how open the university is, how much the university understands the benefit of providing leadership that a student will look up to as a role model," he said.
Rodriguez also says while New York City is very diverse, private and public university teachers are not.
"There's a lot to be done in order to close the gap on the number of Black, Latino, and Asian professors compared to Anglo professors."
Council Member Deborah Rose is Chair of the Council Committee on Civil Rights. She says today's meeting showed that changes can be made to improve students experience at universities in the city.
"I see this hearing as an important step to ensuring that our city's higher education institutions are providing a diverse learning environment for our future's brightest minds," she said.
CUNY discussed plans to increase diversity in their faculty at today's hearing.
