Minority faculty numbers continue to rise

November 30, 1995
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  • umichnews@umich.edu

ANN ARBOR—People of color now comprise 15.1 percent of total instructional faculty at the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus, according to 1995-96 figures released today (Nov. 30).

This compares with 14 percent in 1994, 13.9 percent in 1993, 12.8 percent in 1992, 12.3 percent in 1991 and 11.2 percent in 1990.

Over the past five years, the number of minority faculty has grown 42.2 percent (compared with a 5.3 percent rise in total faculty since 1990).

Since introducing the Michigan Mandate in 1987 to link ”academic excellence and social diversity,” the U-M has increased the number of tenured and tenure-track faculty of color from 237 (8.8 percent of tenured and tenure-track faculty) to 394

”This report indicates that we continue to make progress in increasing the total number of faculty of color at the U-M,” says President James J. Duderstadt. ”This is no accident. It is the result of the hard work and sustained commitment of many people.

”Our challenge in the years to come will be to fulfill the twin goals of attracting outstanding faculty of color and creating a climate where faculty are confident they can succeed. We should be proud of how far we have come, but we must also use this occasion to renew our commitment. The responsibility is a shared one—one which I am confident we can shoulder in the years ahead.”

Of the current 3,923 faculty at the U-M, 309 are Asian (7.9 percent), 184 are Black (4.7 percent), 90 are Hispanic (2.3 percent) and 10 are Native American (0.3 percent).

Three categories make up the instructional faculty at the University: tenured and tenure-track appointments, lecturers and supplemental staff (visiting professors and those with adjunct or clinical appointments).

Of the total faculty of color, 394 hold tenured or tenure-track appointments (a 7.1 percent increase over 1994-95), 115 are lecturers and 84 are supplemental instructional staff.

Among Asian faculty, 199 are tenured or tenure-track (up 18 from last year), 59 are lecturers (up eight) and 51 are supplemental (up 20).

There are 136 Black faculty who are tenured or tenure-track (up eight from 1994), 23 who are lecturers (down two) and 25 who are supplemental (up 12).

Among Hispanic faculty, 52 are tenured or tenure-track (no change from 1994), 31 are lecturers (up two) and seven are supplemental (down six).

There are seven tenured or tenure-track Native American faculty (no change from 1994), two lecturers (up one) and one supplemental (up one).

Overall, while total instructional faculty grew 3.5 percent, minority faculty increased 11.7 percent. The number of Native American faculty rose 25 percent, Asians posted a 17.5 percent gain and Blacks increased 10.8 percent. Hispanics decreased 4.3 percent.

”This represents a significant increase over the previous year’s recruitment efforts,” says Lester P. Monts, vice provost for academic and multicultural affairs. ”The numbers of Black faculty have increased from last year’s numbers due to the tremendous efforts of a number of faculty and administrators in the schools and colleges.

”I hope this trend continues. We must also focus more attention to increasing the numbers of Hispanic and Native American faculty. Our efforts must yield results.”

This year’s new minority faculty on the Ann Arbor campus total 138 (83 Asians, 32 Blacks, 20 Hispanics and three Native Americans), representing a 31.4 percent increase over last year’s new minority faculty. Of this year’s total, 40 hold tenured or tenure-track positions, 52 are lecturers and 46 hold supplemental appointments.

The branch campuses at Dearborn and Flint collectively hired 25 new faculty of color (14 Blacks, nine Asians and two Hispanics). The combined total of new minority faculty for the three campuses is 163.