University to 'redouble' diversity efforts with dialogue

Seeking to amplify discussions about diversity and increase the number of voices in this essential dialogue, the University has developed a new program to foster a more open and welcoming campus environment.

The initiative, Dialogue@Princeton, is funded by a three-year, $225,000 grant awarded in July by the Bildner Family Foundation. Fleurette King, who most recently ran the Office of Diversity Education at DePaul University in Chicago, is joining the Office of Campus Life as the coordinator of Dialogue@Princeton.

As part of the initiative, a $30,000 Bildner Fund for the Advancement of Diversity on Campus has been launched to support projects dealing with race, ethnicity, gender, faith, class differences, social justice and other issues. Applications are now being accepted for grants.

"I hope we can redouble Princeton's efforts to make this a place that is truly inclusive for all of the students here, which is particularly important in a time when we're getting more students of varied backgrounds and income levels," said Janet Dickerson, vice president for campus life.

U.S. minorities and international students currently constitute 34.8 percent of Princeton's total undergraduate population, up from 32.1 percent four years ago.

One major goal of the initiative is to expand the University's ongoing Sustained Dialogue program, which currently includes 12 groups of about 10 people who meet twice a month to discuss diversity-related issues.

The full story is available in the Weekly Bulletin.