Lack of diversity among faculty members compared to students.

A recent report from the Government Accountability Office has shed light on the ongoing issue of diversity among college faculty. According to the report, Black and Latinx professors are significantly underrepresented in the disciplines they teach. This highlights the need for more efforts to be made in increasing faculty diversity on college campuses across the country.

In fiscal year 2021, only eight percent of faculty were Black, while 12 percent of students were Black. Similarly, the representation of Latinx faculty stood at 7 percent, compared to 19 percent of students. This stark difference in representation is a clear indication that there is still much work to be done in improving diversity among college faculty.

The study was requested by Rep. Bobby Scott, who was joined by Rep. Frederica Wilson in his call for the federal government to investigate this issue. In an interview with NBC News, Rep. Scott expressed his disappointment in the current state of faculty diversity, stating that it still needs improvement. He also emphasized the important role that faculty diversity plays in student completion and retention rates.

In addition to Rep. Scott's efforts, there are other strategies being implemented to increase diversity among college faculty. One approach is collaborating with minority-serving institutions to find and hire qualified faculty from marginalized racial backgrounds. This, along with investment in mentorship and leadership programs, can help retain faculty of color and create a more inclusive campus climate.

The report also brings attention to the inefficiency of the EEOC and the Department of Education in responding to complaints of employment discrimination from university employees. Despite the Department of Education being required to forward claims to the EEOC within 30 days, the average time it took for the EEOC to receive these complaints was 71 days. This issue is being addressed, as both organizations have agreed to implement the GAO's recommendations for improving the claims process.

Jinann Bitar, the director of higher education research and data analysis at the Education Trust, highlighted the importance of intentional and long-term efforts in increasing faculty diversity. She also emphasized the impact of institutions like HBCUs, where the approach to educating students of color is reflected in their hiring of faculty.

In conclusion, while progress is being made in terms of faculty diversity on college campuses, there is still a long way to go. It is crucial for the government, educational institutions, and organizations like the EEOC to work together to address this issue and create a more diverse and inclusive environment for both students and faculty.

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