The Impact

According to James S. Hoyte '65, Harvard's associate vice president for equal employment opportunity, staff and faculty diversity at Harvard is important because of its impact on students.

"Clearly the student body should have the benefit of a diverse set of perspectives from the faculty and the leadership of the faculty," he says.

Associate Dean of the College Karen E. Avery '87--one of the College's few black administrators--says the faces of the deans, professors and administrators affect students. She says it is important for students to have role models who look like them in important positions.

Shearwood "Woody" McClelland '00, President of the Black Men's forum, says he's not satisfied with Harvard's level of faculty and staff diversity.

"There aren't many black administrators I can talk to about things," McClelland says.

With such a diverse student body, the lack of administrative ethnic and racial variation is more pronounced.

At an October conference to discuss staff diversity, Rudenstine said the University has been very successful in attracting students of all backgrounds and races.