Faculty & Staff

Students divided on necessity of faculty diversity

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Though the University prides itself on a diverse student body, minority representation among faculty demographics are dismal in comparison. In 2012, of the 3,622 ranked and non-ranked faculty at the University, almost 55 percent of the faculty was white out of the nine ethnicities represented. | Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar

It is not just the minority faculty of the University who are concerned with the demographics of its professors, but also its students, who feel underrepresented.

Public relations senior Isiah Gentry, president of the African American Student Honors Association, has attended the University since the start of his freshman year in Fall 2010, and in his four years he has had only three African-American professors, two of whom were a result of the courses’ heavy African-American foundation. Gentry said that while he has had a diverse number of professors, male and female and from different backgrounds, it was rare for him to have a black professor.

“It has affected me a little bit, because now when I go out and I try and say I went to UH and talk about my experience, in the back of my mind I’m going to think that they didn’t really have that many (African-Americans), at least in my major, in the faculty and staff that were leading the field or teaching the information,” Gentry said. “They have a lot of African-American students, but they don’t have the faculty. That kind of says something, that you don’t have people giving the information, you just have people who are coming to get the information.”

Gentry shares some of the same concerns as marketing junior Karla Perez, who is the president of the Mexican American Studies Student Organization. Perez said that the majority of Mexican-American professors she has had have been because of her minor in Mexican-American studies.

“It does disappoint me that there aren’t more Mexican-American professors at UH, because the professors that I have had have been really good. Aside from their merit as excellent educators, I felt that I could really connect with them based on our similar life experiences and interests in Mexican-American affairs,” Perez said. “In one of my Mexican-American professors, I have found a mentor and someone I can look to for support, as well as someone who has taught me to be proud of my Mexican-American heritage.”

MASSO was founded after the University recognized the need for an organization that caters to students minoring in Mexican-American studies, like Perez. Likewise, AASHA seeks to improve the retention rates of African-American students in The Honors College while providing unity and a voice for those students, according The Honors College website. As an honors student, Gentry said he’d never paid attention to the demographics of professors until now, but he did notice that few of his peers there are of African-American decent.

“I think the entire University should be on board with (recruiting more African-American professors), because it affects the entire University. If people look at the University and feel like it’s not supporting all of its students, regardless of their background, then of course it can easily lead to the perception that they don’t really care about these students, and if you don’t care, you don’t value them, and if you don’t value them, it’s a sense that they can’t contribute anything there,” Gentry said. “That’s what you can communicate.”

It is the students, the pride of UH, who help make the campus a unique college experience, but Perez said just as amazing as it is to be among classmates of all ethnicities and experiences, it is also exciting to interact with professors with these attributes.

“From my experience at UH, I have seen the kind of relationship Mexican-American professors build with their students and how students have benefited from being encouraged and understood by faculty sharing similar backgrounds … but more attention needs to be paid to engage and recruit Mexican-American and African-American students into graduate school, as well as other minorities,” Perez said. “These are the students who can become those professors that we are lacking.”

In an open poll conducted on thedailycougar.com, the site’s visitors were asked whether the University’s faculty should be as diverse as the University’s student body. Of 184 voters, 129 said no, the University shouldn’t consider race at all and should hire faculty solely based on skill and 42 said yes, we should be known for all-around diversity. Only seven voters said the University should hire faculty based on both their skill and their race and six voters said no, it’s hard to have both an equally diverse faculty and student body.

The poll’s results, in accordance with the views of Gentry and Perez, show that the student body is divided on the issue, leaving the administration to weigh in its initiatives to making the faculty as diverse as the staff.

This articles is the second part in a three-part series that will conclude in March. Read the first part here.

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78 Comments

  • 2012-2013 UH Men’s Basketball Team(couldn’t find a picture of this years team)

    https://thedailycougar.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/2012-13-copyfeatured.jpg

    What about diversity on the basketball team? Does the basketball team reflect the diversity of the student body? What can the university do to change that? It is a problem, since fans that come from races/ethnicities/backgrounds that are not properly represented on the basketball team have a hard time relating to the players and rooting for them during the games. After all, UH is known for its diversity and the basketball team should reflect that.

    “As an honors student, Gentry said he’d never paid attention to the
    demographics of professors until now, but he did notice that few of his
    peers there are of African-American decent.”

    Now he notices after someone has made it a problem that there are too many Whites. Its racist to better relate with your race/ethnic group than with other races/ethnic groups unless you are a minority. If you are White, you should relate to the person regardless of their race because they are a human being and put aside any “superficial” racial differences.

    “I felt that I could really connect with them based on our similar life experiences and interests in Mexican-American affairs, In one of my Mexican-American professors, I have found a mentor and someone I can look to for support, as well as someone who has taught me to be proud of my Mexican-American heritage.”

    What about people who are from a Micronesian background? How many professors from Micronesia do we need to make the Micronesian or Micronesian-American students have a better connection with their professors or have Micronesian role models for them to be proud of their Micronesian heritage?

    “I think the entire University should be on board with (recruiting more
    African-American professors), because it affects the entire University.”

    The University doesn’t care enough about left-handed students. As a left-handed person it is hard to relate with right-handed professors since they do not have the same experiences that I do. The University needs to get on top of it right away and actively recruit left-handed professors. It effects the entire University!

  • Whites are seen as a problem for diversity, since it is a terrible thing
    to have “too many” of them, but when other groups dominate it is seen
    as a positive example that their community has flourished.

          • look at the picture of the UH Men’s basketball team that alice posted. There are many groups other than Whites that dominate different segments of industry, art, sports, culture, and science. Do you have a problem with the lack of racial diversity within the UH Men’s basketball team or only the segments that are dominated by Whites?

            • I haven no problems at all. My only problems are with your presuppositions. First, I don’t know who ALL of the basketball players are. Do you? Perhaps some are from Africa, Caribbean, Denmark, Europe, Latin America, or Florida. This is not clear from the picture. Secondly, you presuppose that a basketball team is the function and purpose of the university, when the article at hand is about student opinions about diversity on campus. As such, the analogy is a false one, and quite frankly, quite silly if you think about it….

              • You are being silly. You know there is a lack of racial diversity on the 2012-2013 Men’s basketball team, as can be seen in the picture. All of the players are clearly Black or of Sub-Saharan African descent. Since none of the pro-diversity people have a problem with the lack of diversity on the men’s basketball team, or any sector of society that is dominated by non-whites, it can easily be shown that those who object to the lack of non-white diversity only care about a lack of diversity when non-Whites are lacking. Where are the articles about the need for the Men’s basketball team to reflect the diversity of the UH student body they represent? What is the UH administration going to do about it?

                • Your analogy is flimsy and, let’s be honest, quite silly and not applicable to this case. Case closed. You are still living in the world of the nineteenth century…

                  • You are being dishonest. You only care about diversity if there is a lack of non-whites or there are “too many whites”. You don’t care about diversity if non-whites dominate or whites are lacking.

                    • Students are not being taught by basketball players. Secondly, I have absolutely no idea what “whites” you speak of. I’ve never met a “white” person, but as an American, I know hundreds of Americans whose ancestors came from all over the globe…

                    • Just be honest with yourself, and admit that you don’t mind that the basketball team lacks the diversity of the student body, because non-whites dominate. Would you tell the people who demand more “Black” professors at UH that there is no such a thing as “Black” people?

                    • I’m not interested in discussing the basketball team, as my position on university sports is probably not to your liking. My belief is that our university should focus EXCLUSIVELY on academic and research concerns, not sports.

  • “In 2012, of the 3,622 ranked and non-ranked faculty at the University, almost 55 percent of the faculty was white out of the nine ethnicities represented.”

    That’s way too many whites. We need to get rid of most of them and put “our people” instead. We should follow the great Idi Amin’s example of expelling the Asians living in Uganda by removing the white professors from their undeserved positions.

  • “In 2012, of the 3,622 ranked and non-ranked faculty at the University, almost 55 percent of the faculty was white out of the nine ethnicities represented. ”

    That is very misleading. “international” is listed as one of those 9 “ethnicities”. 825 “international” faculty members is a significant number. How many of the “international” faculty are Asian? If most of them are non-white, then it would reduce that 55% White faculty claim and increase the number of Asian faculty from 346. Also, how many of the “Whites” are Hispanic? Are these students only concerned with the non-White Hispanic professors?

    http://1c71hb3in51z3g8k1j1nogrdvsm.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/NEWNEW-Faculty-Headcount-final.jpg

  • “whiteness” is a social construct. Notice all of the comments on this thread: they all interpret the world and all experience through the prism of “race,” especially this idea that there are actually “white people” in the US. Such puritanical rhetoric belies not only the very fiction of this “whiteness,” but it also betrays any originality. Seriously, you can read fiction and history from the last century to read similar beliefs. Embarrassing…then again, these people also believe in an invisible man in the sky…

    • Cool, you are stereotyping these people as Christian and mocking people who believe in God. Is that something you learned in sociology class?

      • I’m not stereotyping anyone, just questioning the ways in which people view and analyze their world. There are many other ways of seeing the world instead of such a simplistic perspective like “race.” I think that folks are obsessed about “whiteness” and “purity,” and its not because of sociology classes, but an ignorance of basic history.

        • By saying “invisible man in the sky” you are being condescending and mocking Christians. You also deny that “White people” exist, which is incorrect when using the term in its common usage/meaning. White people exist and by saying such a thing, you are exposing your deep ignorance of basic history and genetics. Races exist regardless of whether you find it politically incorrect or not. Btw, I don’t care about political correctness, but I find it amusing that most of the politically correct individuals have no problem with demeaning religions, races, or ethnicities that are not favored by the politically correct crowd.

          • Whatever. Where is your evidence that “white people” exist, particularly as you say, in “basic history and genetics.” Where is your scientific evidence for this? Where is your scientific evidence that an “invisible man in the sky” actually exists? Where is your scientific evidence?

            • Your questions are very childish. You mentioned that you don’t believe races exist, which would mean that racism cannot exist if there are no races. Sexism could not exist if there were no sexes. I’m not sure if you really believe what you are writing or if you are just trolling people on the dailycougar.

              • I am not a troll, but a student at the UH. A lifelong learner who has school spirit and who loves my university. Yes, that is correct: “races” do not exist. Racism is something completely different, particularly if you are describing it in sociological terms. I never mentioned sexism and would urge you to concentrate on the discussion at hand. The concept of “race” has a history, and one that can be traced back to the 16th century. Its usage began to fall out of fashion after WWII. It is COMMON knowledge among academics and professionals that “races” do not exist, as we are simply one species of primates. PS. As I wrote this I looked up this question and everything I’m saying here is ALREADY so COMMON as to be on WIKIPEDIA! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_(human_classification)

                • Races exist. It fell out of fashion to speak the truth due to politics, not science. Out of curiosity, do you believe that different dog breeds exist?

                  • No, it fell out of fashion because of science, not politics. Scientist only go on evidence, while politics goes on, well, anything. Think about it, you cannot get elected to any political position in our country unless you believe in an invisible man in the sky that looks and lords over humanity like a North Korean dictator…

                    • Not true. Race has a scientific(genetic,biological) and historical foundation that will always be relevant. You are also wrong in your last sentence mocking people who believe in God, since there are examples politicians that have held office who are/were atheist or agnostic. There are even a greater amount of individuals who do not believe in God but falsely state that they do to get votes. Are you trying to troll me?

                    • Don’t flatter yourself dude, seriously. I’m done with this “discussion,” as you have provided NO EVIDENCE, just folk tales and mythology. Seriously, if you can’t even rebut a Wikipedia article on these questions, you have no room to even be discussing these questions.

                    • You do not even understand basic science. I have even proven you wrong with your false statements regarding the alleged “impossibility” of people who do not believe in God being elected to public office. Do you believe that different dog breeds exist?

                    • Its really funny that you don’t want to answer the question about whether you believe if dog breeds exist or not. Its almost as funny as the fact that you deny races exist, and use wikipedia as your “website of truth” only to be proven wrong.

                    • It’s called “sarcasm.” If you go back and read that Wikipedia entry, and not just parts of it, it will tell you that NO ONE believes in this new “scientific” and “genetic racism” that you speak of, unless you subscribe to the boloney of the “bell curve.” Dog breeds exists, but we are not talking canines, but homo sapiens. Do you get the difference genius?

                    • What i posted directly from wikipedia was not sarcasm. You need to get a dictionary if you believe that. Its sad that you deny the existence of race and its legitimate role in medicine and other sciences, which haven been demonstrated on your precious wikipedia. I’m glad you accepted that dog breeds exist. Dogs and Humans have alot of things in common, otherwise we wouldn’t have used animal research(including canines) to study human medicine. Just like there are different breeds of dogs, there are different races of humans.

                    • Wrong. Breeds are not the same as ‘races.” “Race” is a historical construct that has NO BIOLOGICAL determinant upon homo sapiens. Beyond some research on sickle cell and maybe diabetes (recent phenomenon), we humans are basically ALL the same.

                    • You are wrong. if races had no biological element, then we wouldn’t use it in genetics and medicine. Dog breeds also have a historical element as well. No serious scientist would agree with your psuedoscience propaganda

                    • Apparently you need to be reminded how you were shown to be wrong

                      from your precious all-knowing wikipedia:

                      In the United States, policy makers use racially categorized data to
                      identify and address health disparities between racial or ethnic groups.[164]
                      In clinical settings, race has long been considered in the diagnosis
                      and treatment of medical conditions, because some medical conditions are
                      more prevalent in certain racial or ethnic groups than in others.
                      Recent interest in race-based medicine, or race-targeted pharmacogenomics, has been fueled by the proliferation of human genetic data which followed the decoding of the human genome in the early 2000s (decade)

                      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_%28human_classification%29

                      There is a controversy regarding race as a method for classifying
                      humans. Different sources argue it is purely social construct or a
                      biological reality reflecting average genetic group differences. New
                      interest in human biological variation has resulted in a resurgence of
                      the use of race in biomedicine
                      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_health

                    • Real scientists that study medicine and medical genetics know that certain races (just like certain dog breeds) have a higher risk for certain diseases. Of course you cannot comprehend that .

                    • That guy is wrong. Spouting lies is one way to make a name for yourself in academia when you lack good ideas. It is done all the time, just like that “Obesity is healthy” junk science.

                    • Wrong! Professor Lewontin used to teach at The University of Chicago and also Harvard. He is world renowned and the leading expert on these questions. I’ve already been through this argument with you and dozens of other folk believers. I know you don’t read, or watch, but watch this video and start it at 13:00 to hear/watch exactly why you are so wrong. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvG1ylKhzoo

                    • There are many people with top credentials from Ivy league schools that spout lies. You are using a fallacy that teaching at such schools automatically makes him correct

                    • Exactly, and here is where we will differ. I will take the word of someone with degrees in higher education and who are considered the experts by our best institutions and universities, and NOT your drivel. I believe in science and you believe in “races” and in old and antiquated ideas. As Lewontin says in this lecture, (20:00) no one has ever found a gene which is ‘race specific.’ Goodbye!

                    • Have they found a gene which is “dog breed” specific?
                      You have another fallacy at hand by saying that just because something hasn’t been found, that it does not exist. Out of curiosity, did you know that the government is interested in race-specific bioweapons?

                    • Oh great, a conspiracy nut job! BTW, the prevalence of a disease does not equal something that is “race specific.” Do you know of a disease that ONLY strikes populations from the continent of Africa or Asia or Europe?

                    • Those conspiracy nuts briefing Secretary of Defense William Cohen in 1997.

                      DoD News Briefing: Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen
                      Presenter: Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen
                      April 28, 1997 8:45 AM EDT

                      “Alvin Toeffler has written about this in terms of some scientists in their laboratories trying to devise certain types of pathogens that would be ethnic specific so that they could just eliminate certain ethnic groups and races;”

                      http://www.defense.gov/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=674

                    • Alvin Toeffler is a “futuristic” writer that speculates on the future with his degree in English…Not very scientific if you ask me…

                    • at least you now have an idea what comes up in the briefings.
                      If you believe that dog breeds exist, how can you prove they exist?

                    • You have lost the argument. Races exist. You have been proven wrong when you stated that there is no biologic basis of race, when it is used in medicine to obtain valuable information concerning the risk of certain diseases and the reactions to certain drugs.

                      from your precious all-knowing wikipedia:

                      In the United States, policy makers use racially categorized data to
                      identify and address health disparities between racial or ethnic groups.[164]

                      In clinical settings, race has long been considered in the diagnosis
                      and treatment of medical conditions, because some medical conditions are
                      more prevalent in certain racial or ethnic groups than in others.
                      Recent interest in race-based medicine, or race-targeted
                      pharmacogenomics, has been fueled by the proliferation of human genetic
                      data which followed the decoding of the human genome in the early 2000s
                      (decade)
                      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_%28human_classification%29

                      “There is a controversy regarding race as a method for classifying
                      humans. Different sources argue it is purely social construct or a
                      biological reality reflecting average genetic group differences. New
                      interest in human biological variation has resulted in a resurgence of
                      the use of race in biomedicine”

                      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_health

                    • Race

                      “Studies have consistently demonstrated that persons of certain races are
                      more susceptible to keloid scar formation. Individuals with darker
                      pigmentation, black persons, and Asian persons are more likely to
                      develop keloids.[5] In
                      a random sampling of black individuals, as many as 16% have reported
                      developing keloid scars, with an incidence rate of 4.5-16% in the black
                      and Hispanic populations. White persons and albinos are least affected. Alhady’s 1969 study found that Chinese individuals were more likely to develop keloids than Indian or Malaysian individuals.[5]”
                      http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1298013-overview#aw2aab6b4

                    • Blacks and Keloids

                      Most often, keloids are found in people of African descent.
                      I have also seen keloids in Indians and Chinese, and more
                      rarely in Whites. Keloids tend to run in families. If
                      your parents or siblings have keloids, you are more likely to have
                      them as well.

                      Keloids have been noted in Africans throughout
                      history. One of the theories that has been postulated
                      for the predominance of keloids in Blacks is the fact
                      that when keloids are developed they become insensitive to pain.
                      In Africa, men would put scars on their bodies in order to
                      develop keloids. The keloids would then become a sort of
                      natural armor, giving some protection. This
                      “scarification” of the body would also take place at
                      particular times of the year, in accordance with local customs.
                      Most of this knowledge is historically interesting and has
                      been lost to us in the west! – See more at: http://www.blackwomenshealth.com/blog/keloids/#sthash.VAU2qtec.dpuf

                    • You cited frauds. You have been proven wrong multiple times on this site.
                      1) You said that it is impossible for people who do not believe in God to be elected for political office
                      2) You said that race has no relevance, when it has been proven that it is still relevant in genetics, and medicine
                      3)You used a fallacy that a person who teaches at Ivy leagues must be right
                      4) You falsely stated that what I posted from wikipedia is “sarcasm”
                      You are a race denialist. Denying that different races exist is very foolish and un-scientific. You are negating the real historical, genetic, physical, and biological realities of race

                      Only fake scientists would say that races do not exist.
                      Maybe this will educate you:
                      http://sandwalk.blogspot.com/2012/03/do-human-races-exist.html

                    • Even funnier is that you used a wikipedia article in a failed attempt to prove races dont exist. That same article which you used, showed that races in fact exist, and are scientifically valid and have medical applications. I used your own championed wikipedia article against you. Coahuiltejano, you are an epic loser and failure!!!!!

                    • I already told you that atheist politicians have held public office. Have you heard of Jesse Ventura?

                    • You are playing games. You know why I mentioned diseases, and how race and genetics influence disease.

                    • No serious scientists believes in human races. If you there is one, please provide that information here. Otherwise, grab your shine box and go away…

                    • From the Book by SJ Gould:

                      When published in 1981, The Mismeasure of Man was immediately hailed as a masterwork, the ringing answer to those who would classify people, rank them according to their supposed genetic gifts and limits.

                      And yet the idea of innate limits—of biology as destiny—dies hard, as witness the attention devoted to The Bell Curve, whose arguments are here so effectively anticipated and thoroughly undermined by Stephen Jay Gould. In this edition Dr. Gould has written a substantial new introduction telling how and why he wrote the book and tracing the subsequent history of the controversy on innateness right through The Bell Curve. Further, he has added five essays on questions of The Bell Curve in particular and on race, racism, and biological determinism in general. These additions strengthen the book’s claim to be, as Leo J. Kamin of Princeton University has said, “a major contribution toward deflating pseudo-biological ‘explanations’ of our present social woes.”

                    • You need to read other literature besides the politically correct garbage they feed naive students in sociology class.

                      from your precious all-knowing wikipedia:

                      In the United States, policy makers use racially categorized data to
                      identify and address health disparities between racial or ethnic groups.[164]
                      In clinical settings, race has long been considered in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions, because some medical conditions are more prevalent in certain racial or ethnic groups than in others. Recent interest in race-based medicine, or race-targeted pharmacogenomics, has been fueled by the proliferation of human genetic data which followed the decoding of the human genome in the early 2000s (decade)

                      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_%28human_classification%29

                      “There is a controversy regarding race as a method for classifying humans. Different sources argue it is purely social construct or a biological reality reflecting average genetic group differences. New interest in human biological variation has resulted in a resurgence of the use of race in biomedicine”

                      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_health

    • “white people” is generally used as a term for people of the Caucasian race, especially those found within Europe, or of such European heritage. There is a phenotypic and genotypic manifestation as well. It shouldn’t be that hard for you to understand that.

      • “Race” is the invention of racists. I don’t believe in nineteenth century folk beliefs, and therefore have no idea of what you mean by a “Caucasian race.” these are buffooneries!

        • its not a buffoonery, but an actual biological, historical, and genetic classification. You need to educate yourself more before you spout lies

    • If only the anti-whites believed you that there are no “white people” in the US.
      They would have to find some other group to demonize.

  • I was under the impression that we would hire the most qualified teaching staff we can find. I’m fairly sure it’s unethical if not illegal to hire based on race, ethnicity (NOT THE SAME), religion, or orientation. White and Hispanic are not mutually exclusive either. This article demonstrates a lack of critical thinking. If you’re struggling for relevant articles for African-American History Month try actual research and scholarship, this is a joke.

    • It is legal. I was denied a job because I was not Black. The guy in charge of hiring(who was Black) said that the company needed to promote more Blacks. The guy who got the job instead of me left after a month(he found an even better job where they needed diversity). It didn’t matter that practically everyone, regardless of their racial background said that I was the hardest working person there and most qualified. I couldn’t sue since it is hard for White males to sue in discrimination cases. I left that company right away. I guess I just have to accept being a worse category and having less to offer a company because I’m a White male.

      • Hard work or being the best candidate is not enough. You need to bring diversity to the company. If you are white, sorry but there is enough of them and places that are very white are boring. Only minorities can improve an institution.

  • If the white professors were not racist or really cared about diversity, they would resign from their positions immediately. Being white, they cannot possibly teach minority students effectively. Replace them with minorities and the University will be a better place full of diversity.

  • I’m fortunate to have my Jewish identity. If someone insinuated that there are too many Jews in Wall Street or Hollywood, it would be considered anti-semitic. White Christians in academia are fair game I suppose. Sorry guys

  • Believe it, this has been the problem with U of H profile…Take a hard look at other departments within the campus….The Library…

  • White people need to stop whining. They don’t have to spend time reading and studying for exams like minorities do. Our next goal after removing the racist white professors should be letting all minorities use open book exams while the whites should not be allowed. I think most of the students at UH would support it. I’m also tired of Asians telling me that they worked hard to get where they are. Like our president said “you didn’t build that”. Someone else studied for you. Unlike whites and asians, the black and latino community has to study hard for exams in order to get good grades. Its not a given like for whites and asians.

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