I suggest on this page that W&M adopt the Rice University model. I offer it in honor of my father. - David Dessler July 27, 2021
WHAT THE PRESIDENT WAS HIRED TO DO
Companies with diverse leaderships have better financial returns. According to McKinsey, there is a linear relationship between racial and ethnic diversity and better financial performance: for every 10 percent increase in racial and ethnic diversity on the senior executive team, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rise 0.8 percent.
The gains require more than just bringing in people who are or look different. The right relationships between them must be created. For example, new and different workers must feel included. If we call the totality of relationships a “community,” we can say that, for diversity to accelerates innovation, one must have the right community structure.
ROWE'S REMARKS ON THE DAY HER SELECTION AS PRESIDENT WAS ANNOUNCED
Her remarks Tuesday morning echoed the two main facets of her work at Smith: innovation and diversity.
“A learning community that is rich in diverse persons, viewpoints, experiences and modes of knowledge-making is the best preparation for citizenship and a professional life in a pluralistic democracy,” Rowe said, “because that preparation is what will enable us successfully to navigate complexity during period of rapid change, nationally and globally.
“We will never be done striving to affirm and not cover over our differences to address inequity and to seek to make William and Mary a place where students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds, income levels and identities participate fully.”
"You will hear me say this often: diversity accelerates innovation."
Companies with diverse leaderships have better financial returns. According to McKinsey, there is a linear relationship between racial and ethnic diversity and better financial performance: for every 10 percent increase in racial and ethnic diversity on the senior executive team, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rise 0.8 percent.
The gains require more than just bringing in people who are or look different. The right relationships between them must be created. For example, new and different workers must feel included. If we call the totality of relationships a “community,” we can say that, for diversity to accelerates innovation, one must have the right community structure.
ROWE'S REMARKS ON THE DAY HER SELECTION AS PRESIDENT WAS ANNOUNCED
Her remarks Tuesday morning echoed the two main facets of her work at Smith: innovation and diversity.
“A learning community that is rich in diverse persons, viewpoints, experiences and modes of knowledge-making is the best preparation for citizenship and a professional life in a pluralistic democracy,” Rowe said, “because that preparation is what will enable us successfully to navigate complexity during period of rapid change, nationally and globally.
“We will never be done striving to affirm and not cover over our differences to address inequity and to seek to make William and Mary a place where students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds, income levels and identities participate fully.”
"You will hear me say this often: diversity accelerates innovation."
PROPOSAL: THOSE WHO WORK AT THE COLLEGE SHOULD ADOPT THIS PRINCIPLE
THE PRESIDENT SETS POLICY;
THE UNIVERSITY FOLLOWS.
HERE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS PRINCIPLE IN
OPERATION AT RICE UNIVERSITY NEARLY 60 YEARS AGO
(From Alexander J. Dessler's recollections of starting the Space Science Dept at Rice University in 1963:)
"Soon after I arrived at Rice, Pitzer asked if I wanted to go to what was the last faculty meeting of the academic year. I declined. Afterwards he told me that it was probably good I had not gone, but he did not say why. Later I learned that Pitzer had announced at the meeting that he had created a Space Science Department. There were objections, even a motion by Frank Vandiver (acting President of Rice 1969-70 and later president of Texas A&M) to table the discussion."
| rice_history.pdf |