[Cwgrad-announcements] Grad and Diversity issues

[Vanessa Hua]

I'm also interested in participating in diversity outreach efforts.
As students, we can be effective recruiting at summer conferences such
as Squaw, Napa Valley, and especially Voices of Our Nation.  I can't
emphasize how important word-of-mouth is and I'm doing my best to
encourage some great applicants to apply here.

I also suggest changing the website to emphasize how the school values
diversity. The faculty profiles are already great -- but perhaps UCR
could put profiles and contact info for current students, that
applicants can contact. And of past students, too. Prospective
students scrutinize all that information.

Also, applicants are looking VERY closely at online bulletin boards
such as P&W, Tom Kealey's etc.  There is much discussion about
different schools and diversity is an issue that comes up. The
question is if students/faculty should check into these boards and
respond to rumors.

On Nov 20, 2007 10:46 AM,  <rickerby at ucr.edu> wrote:
> Robin,
>
> Thanks for this report.
> Two things:
> -I'm willing to make campus visits.
> -We can have the get-together at my house.
>
> Rickerby
>
>
>
>
> ---- Original message ----
> >Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:10:17 -0800
> >From: Robin Russin <robin.russin at ucr.edu>
> >Subject: Grad and Diversity issues
> >To: CW List <cwgrad-announcements at lists.ucr.edu>, Eric Barr <eric.barr at ucr.edu>, Rickerby Hinds
> <Rickerby.hinds at ucr.edu>, Andrew Winer <andrew.winer at ucr.edu>
> >
> >   Hi all--
> >   Just got back from NY in time to go to the Grad diversity meeting this morning, which
> >   covered a lot of interesting territory.
> >   A few points, in brief:
> >   I will be proposing that I and other faculty in the MFA try to visit other campuses with
> >   the aim of recruiting, and with an eye to diversity. Dean Rabenstein has said he may be
> >   able to help fund this at least in part.
> >   Erith and I have spoken about an MFA get together before the end of term, especially for
> >   those who will be involved in playworks. I would welcome any such plans on your part as
> >   well, such as Carly's open house this past fall.
> >   We encourage you, the students, to get the word out to your undergrad alma maters as
> >   well-- you're our best recruiters!
> >   We encourage you, especially those of you who fit the term of "diversity" students, to
> >   find a faculty mentor, and to network with each other. We want you to succeed, and for
> >   your success to bring us more students like you in the future.
> >   Suggestions are welcome at the grad division for how better to address your needs as
> >   graduate students, especially in regard to recruiting and retaining diversity students.
> >   Regarding the TA thing: you are not alone in your frustration. Dance still has not
> >   received their budget, and I spoke with their grad advisor who is still unable to tell her
> >   MFAs who will definitely have a TA for winter. The problem is that we don't get the
> >   numbers until the final weeks--though I know this puts you all in suspense and is not how
> >   I'd like to handle things. But right now, it's how the system works.
> >   Robin Russin
> >   Assistant Professor
> >   Department of Theatre
> >   University of California, Riverside
> >   Riverside, CA 92521
> >   (951) 827-2707
> >   (213) 949-1061 cel
> >   robin.russin at ucr.edu
> Rickerby Hinds
> Assistant Professor, Playwriting
> University of California, Riverside
> Department of Theatre
>
> 304 Arts Building
> Riverside, CA 92521
>
> 951.827.3871
> 951.827.4651-fax
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