THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, February 28, 1995             TAG: 9502280262
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY VICTORIA BARASCH, CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT 
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                    LENGTH: Short :   38 lines

VICE PRESIDENT OF DIVERSITY CONSIDERED

The University of Virginia, prodded by the student council, is researching whether to create a vice presidency for diversity.

U.Va. President John T. Casteen III said he doubted the university would add the position, but he has formed a committee to look into the possibility.

``Other universities have backed away from it largely because of the realization that the title they have created is largely symbolic,'' Casteen said. ``I am simply not persuaded that this is a good thing for the university.''

But the president of the student council, Terry A.C. Gray, said the position would help U.Va. focus its efforts to promote diversity.

``There isn't any kind of wide-based program that . . . really incorporates diversity as a fundamental part of education at the university,'' Gray said. ``If a vice president is not the best way to . . . deal with the issues, then what in fact is?''

The idea was sparked by a protest by black students last spring about lack of attention to minority issues on campus. Gray proposed it to Casteen in September.

Most universities do not have high-level administrative positions for diversity. But Mary Washington College has a vice president for multicultural affairs, and James Madison University has an associate vice president for multicultural student services.

Carlos Brown, a vice president of the U.Va. Student Council, said he is open to alternatives to highlight minority concerns. ``As long as that function is served, I'll be satisfied, because it will be more than what we have now,'' he added. by CNB