Critical Mass

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is considering a new policy of "diversity." If hearing just that much made you suspicious, then you'd be right; it's fishy from the get-go, and two professors at UNL editorialize on it in the Daily Nebraskan. According to them, "Here is what should frighten you":

1. From now on, your annual evaluations will include being graded on the extent to which you have contributed (or not) to a climate of "inclusiveness" and the extent to which you have participated in "campus programs to improve climate ..."

"Inclusiveness" is not defined in the document, nor is the nature of these programs specified. Thus, these words can mean whatever your department chairperson or others in the administration want them to mean - and can't we all guess?

Read the rest of the editorial at the link above. Read the policy for yourself. I emailed the authors of the diversity plan and asked them a few relevant questions: In seeking a diversity-embracing faculty, does the school risk becoming intellectually homogenous? Would not that defeat the purpose of diversity? How far will this call for diversity take the school? Will it hire a professor with views considered "intolerant"? After all, that professor's viewpoint would most definitely contribute to the school's diversity!