[Cwgrad-announcements] Grad and Diversity issues

[rrussin at ucr.edu]

FYI -- what I sent to Chris--

Hi Chris--

Good to hear from you.

Since the "diversity summit" was an open forum and
university-wide, as grad advisor on the THEA end I thought I'd
simply pass along some of what I learned and what were some of
the suggestions presented. Both Dean Cullenberg and Rabenstein
are very impressed with our program, and anxious to help us to
improve even further, especially in regard to diversity
recruitment. 

I'm more than happy to meet with you or the other faculty to
discuss; though I've found that trying to coordinate such
meetings (which I labored mightily to do last year, with
limited success) can be like herding cats. Andrew and I have,
over the years, discussed ways to improve recruitment and
outreach, and I know he's worked very hard on his end of
things, as have I. But we've never managed to really sit down
and get it done in a coordinated fashion. Maybe this will
present an opportunity.

In any event, this was just to make some suggestions, nothing
will be acted on until we have an agreement on what we all
would like to do. I don't at all mean to obligate anyone else
or speak out of turn. I'm very sensitive to the fact that CW
has some different issues and objectives than THEA. 

Please let me know if you'd like to get together. 

Robin

---- Original message ----
>Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:47:24 -0800
>From: "Andrew Winer" <andrew.winer at ucr.edu>  
>Subject: Re: [Cwgrad-announcements] Grad and Diversity issues  
>To: "chris abani" <chris.abani at gmail.com>, "Robin Russin"
<robin.russin at ucr.edu>
>Cc: "CW List" <cwgrad-announcements at lists.ucr.edu>, "Eric
Barr" <eric.barr at ucr.edu>, "Rickerby Hinds"
<Rickerby.hinds at ucr.edu>
>
>   For what's it worth, I agree with Chris.  There are
>   things being put forth here about which some of us
>   might have alternate views/angles.
>    
>   -Andrew
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     From: chris abani
>     To: Robin Russin
>     Cc: CW List ; Eric Barr ; Rickerby Hinds ; Andrew
>     Winer
>     Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 3:40 PM
>     Subject: Re: [Cwgrad-announcements] Grad and
>     Diversity issues
>     Robin,
>
>     Shouldn't we as faculty discuss this off list
>     first before we open it up for general
>     conversation?
>
>     Chris
>
>     On 11/19/07, Robin Russin <robin.russin at ucr.edu>
>     wrote:
>
>       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
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