Dear Ms. Dewey,

It appears to me that limiting the eligibility for your Minority
Resident Program to members of non-white racial/ethnic groups is in
direct contradiction to the broad understanding of diversity endorsed by
your own Library Diversity Committee:

"Diversity is a commitment to recognizing and appreciating the variety
of characteristics that make individuals unique in an atmosphere that
promotes
and celebrates individual and collective achievement. Examples of these
characteristics are: age; cognitive style; culture; disability (mental,
learning, physical); economic background; education; gender; geographic
background; language(s) spoken; marital/partnered status; physical
appearance; political affiliation; religious beliefs; sexual
orientation."
(http://www.lib.utk.edu/%7Etraining/Diversity/diversityposter2.pdf)

Isn't the purpose behind affirmative-action type of programs, such as
your Minority Librarian Resident program, to offer opportunities to
segments of the population that are historically underrepresented in the
profession? Clearly, people with disabilities fit this description.
Would you please revisit the current eligibility criteria for your
Minority Librarian Resident program, which are based on a narrow
interpretation of diversity, and consider aligning them with the more
inclusive concept that your own Library Diversity Committee endorses.

Sincerely,

Axel Schmetzke, Ph.D.
Library
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
715-346-4658


-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Yared [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2003 8:19 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: MINORITY LIBRARIAN RESIDENT

From :   <[log in to unmask]>
To :   <[log in to unmask]>
Subject :   Re: MINORITY LIBRARIAN RESIDENT
Date :   Fri, 28 Feb 2003 12:40:13 -0500 (EST)

Mr. Yared, eligibility for this program is based on racial/ethnic
diversity. -- Barbara Dewey

>Ms. Dewey, are people with disabilities eligible for the minority
>librarian  residency program? Or is there a difference between people
>with disabilities  who are white and people with disabilities from
>racial/ethnic background?
>
>Thank you.
>Mike Yared, MLS The Catholic University, '96.
>
>
>THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE LIBRARIES
>
>Announcement of Two Professional Vacancies: MINORITY LIBRARIAN RESIDENT
The
>University of Tennessee Libraries is seeking two enthusiastic and
creative
>candidates for a two-year Minority Librarian Residency Program. The
>purpose of the program is to attract recent library school graduates
from
>underrepresented groups to a challenging and rewarding career in
academic
>librarianship. Successful candidates will serve as residents for two
years
>and may be eligible for permanent employment as faculty upon completion
of
>the program. Residents will be expected to do the following: work
closely
>with librarians to develop skills and career plans, develop collegial
>relationships with faculty outside the library, participate in library
>committees, and become involved with professional associations. In
>addition, the candidates will receive guidance from a mentor with the
goal
>of  completing a specialized project during the second year of their
>residency. Each resident will select several areas of the library in
which
>he/she will work and take part in a variety of initiatives and
projects.
SALARY AND BENEFITS: Appointment as non-tenure track Instructor at a
minimum salary of $40,000. There is financial support for attending
conferences, seminars, and workshops. Relocation assistance will be
provided. Excellent  benefits include 24 annual leave days; choice of
state retirement plan or TIAA/CREF with nonrefundable contributions
paid for the employee by the University; optional group health and life
insurance plans. Tuition remission is available for all university
employees and partial undergraduate tuition remission is available to
dependent children and spouses of UT employees.
QUALIFICATIONS: REQUIRED: A recent graduate degree from an ALA
accredited  master's program; member of historically underrepresented
group; must have authorization to work in the U.S. Ability to work
effectively in a team environment; excellent oral and written
communication skills; demonstrated interest in scholarship and
professional growth; strong service orientation; knowledge of issues
and development in academic libraries. For a complete  description of
the program and application procedures see
http://www.lib.utk.edu/~lss/search/minor.html.
A NOTE FROM THE DEAN OF UT LIBRARIES:
The University of Tennessee and the Libraries are deeply committed to
diversity in all regards. The Libraries' Diversity Committee plays a
leadership role on campus to promote diversity through various programs
and initiatives. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you or others
have  questions. I will be pleased to talk to interested people
directly. Sincerely,
Barbara I. Dewey, Dean of Libraries
865 974-4127
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA
institution in the provision of its education and employment programs
and  services.

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