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October 18 , 2004
Wagner visits PCORE, asks for input

BY Katherine Baust

President Jim Wagner met with the President’s Commission on the Status of Race and Ethnicity (PCORE) during the group’s Monday, Oct. 4, meeting in 400 Administration, to outline his hopes for the next year and talk about the state of community on campus.

“I am aware that I am a middle-aged, white male,” Wagner said. “I rely on groups like PCORE to provide me with the experience I have never had and never will have.”

He told the group to pay attention to two major issues this year: the strategic plan and the upcoming comprehensive campaign. “The strategic plan is the roadway that will get us where we want to take Emory,” Wagner said, and it “will shape the future of Emory’s intellectual agenda.” The campaign, meanwhile, will be more in the background this year before it gains steam in 2004–05.

Wagner stressed the importance of building a culture of communication that values and not only celebrates but demands diversity. He said he will be looking to PCORE for guidance and advice on how to get there.

Next on the agenda, chair-elect Donna Wong asked members of the subcommittees to give updates on their work. In reference to the current revision of Emory’s Discriminatory Harassment Policy, she asked members to send their comments to PCORE Chair Chris Grey.

Wong asked for suggestions to create a Top 10 list of reasons why employees should complete the campus climate survey, to be administered in November by Human Resources. Wong announced that an open-ended, “essay”-type question on the survey will allow respondents to give their own thoughts on the issue.

Bob Lee of the School of Medicine and student Shreeta Quantano were announced as new co-chairs for the race and ethnic leadership committee.

Jody Usher, chair of special projects, said space is still open for the upcoming diversity event, “Train the Trainer Workshop,” co-sponsored by the Emory chapter of the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI), Oct. 29–31. Scholarships are available through NCBI and the Office of Multicultural Programs. For additional information, call Usher at 404-727-8481.

Juno Lawrence from the student concerns committee announced the upcoming “Student Dialogue on Diversity,” featuring Provost Earl Lewis, to be held Wednesday, Nov. 3, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in Cox Hall ballroom. Lewis will share his experiences with diversity initiatives at the University of Michigan and the role of students in diversity work on college campuses. He will facilitate a discussion on campus climate issues and answer questions.

The next PCORE meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 15, from 3–5 p.m. in 400 Administration.

If you have a question or concern for PCORE, e-mail Grey at pcore@emory.edu.

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