December 15, 2002
“Successful candidates will self-identify as Black of African Descent (e.g, Africans and African heritage people from the Caribbean, Americas, Europe) and will demonstrate
A University has to aim at excellence in every field of study, it takes up.
Affirmative action is not the primary objective of any University. It is one of the other objectives of a university. Or it may even be the first priority among the other objectives. But the primary and the first objective cannot be anything other than the Quest for Excellence.
For addressing the underrepresentation of Black faculty, Toronto Metropolitan University has posted on its website the requirements, for a tenure track position in Applied Microeconomics or Economics, as follows:
strong potential for excellence in, and willingness and ability to contribute to: teaching, scholarly research or creative activity and service, while maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and collegial work environment across all activities.”
Similarly, Tulane University in USA stated in the requirements for a Teaching Assistant for ‘The Arts and Social Impact’” that “priority will be given to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People Of Color) applicants.” However, this part of the requirements for the position was removed, after a few days, by the University and its spokesperson said, “We have removed the phrase from the advertisement for the teaching assistant position..As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Tulane University does not discriminate on the basis of protected classifications (such as race, color, or any other classification protected by applicable law) in its programs, activities, or employment.”
DiGiNews360 feels strongly that a university’s universal objective is the Pursuit of Excellence in all its endeavors. Hence, we are of the firm view that every university must be an Equal Opportunity Employer.