Doing the Right Thing: How Colleges and Universities Can Undo Systemic Racism in Faculty Hiring

The book "Doing the Right Thing" examines the issue of systemic racism in faculty hiring and offers solutions to address the lack of diversity among faculty. It highlights the institutional forces that hinder faculty diversification and provides a concrete call for colleges and universities to take action and do better.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 14 June 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

While colleges and universities have been celebrated for their progress in increasing student diversity, they have fallen short in achieving comparable diversity among their faculty. In 2017, only a mere 3 percent of the nation's full-time, tenure-track, and tenured faculty members were Black men, Black women, Hispanic men, and Hispanic women. Similarly, only 6 percent were Asian/Pacific Islander men, 5 percent were Asian/Pacific Islander women, and 1 percent were American Indian/Alaska Native. These dismal numbers raise important questions about the underlying factors contributing to this lack of diversity.

In her book "Doing the Right Thing," Marybeth Gasman delves into the complex issues surrounding the recruitment and hiring of faculty of color. Drawing on national data and extensive interviews with provosts, deans, and department chairs from sixty major universities, Gasman provides a comprehensive analysis of the institutional forces that hinder faculty diversification. She argues that these deficiencies can and should be addressed to create a more inclusive academic environment.

Despite public declarations of inclusive excellence and the growing number of doctoral students of color, Gasman reveals the entrenched constraints that perpetuate the faculty status quo. These impediments include the perceived trade-off between quality and diversity, the influence of pedigree, the rigidity of academic pipelines, failures of administrative leadership, a lack of accountability among administration and faculty, and the opacity and arbitrariness of the recruitment and hiring process. Gasman contends that leaders must acknowledge institutional failures of inclusion, pervasive systemic racism, and biases that restrict people of color from pursuing faculty careers.

Recognizing the vital role that individuals from diverse backgrounds play in the creation and teaching of knowledge, Gasman emphasizes the need for institutions to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion. She suggests that steps can be taken to address these challenges, including promoting diversity in the recruitment process, providing support for underrepresented faculty members, and creating policies that promote equity and inclusion.

In conclusion, the lack of diversity among faculty members is a significant issue that requires attention and action. By examining the institutional forces that hinder faculty diversification and advocating for change, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable academic environment.

Weight: 622g
Dimension: 163 x 243 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691193076