The Johns Hopkins Gazette: December 13, 1999
December 13, 1999
VOL. 29, NO. 15

  

Databases On Diversity and K-12 Programs Now Online

By Greg Rienzi
The Gazette
Johns Hopkins Gazette Online Edition

Two separate databases detailing the university's vigorous role in diversity issues and in K-12 education have recently been added to the JHUniverse server. Each database contains an exhaustive listing of projects and initiatives university staff have embarked on in each of these outreach areas.

Edgar Roulhac, vice provost for academic services, said the two databases represent an ambitious undertaking that took several years to compile. "There is a very rich amount of information that is available about Hopkins' current activity on diversity issues and K-12 education," Roulhac said.

"These two databases should be very useful to those who have an interest in finding out who else in the university is doing something that is similar to, or different from, their own projects," he said. "Perhaps their ideas can be joined with someone else's efforts. Still others might find out about a project or initiative that they simply wish to get involved in."

Roulhac said the databases also will be a rich resource for the media and for those outside the university dealing with their own diversity or education issues.

The JHU Diversity Leadership Council database contains information on the hundreds of diversity initiatives and collaborations in which university staff are currently engaged that provide a direct benefit for students, staff, faculty, patients, alumni and community residents. These initiatives address a variety of workplace issues such as those involving age, race, gender and sexual orientation.

Founded in 1997, the Diversity Leadership Council recommends and promotes policies, programs and other initiatives that will attract and retain a diverse mix of faculty, staff and students. The council also promotes and supports diversity awareness education within the divisions, university-wide and in the Baltimore community.

The K-12 Education database demonstrates how Hopkins has been actively involved with hundreds of school-based initiatives that impact students, teachers and administrators in Baltimore City and in each of Maryland's 23 counties and Washington, D.C. K-12 initiatives address educational needs such as classroom technology, education reform, gifted and talented education, policy analysis and teacher education. Hopkins' deep involvement with K-12 issues and affairs is evidenced by the recent creation of the Hopkins Education Forum, a university-wide committee that advises President William R. Brody and university leadership on the urgent regional and national challenge of school reform.

Each entry in the two databases contains the project's focus, a brief description, a listing of intended target groups and other pertinent details. To assist those who need more detailed information, a primary contact person is identified for each citation.

Visitors to either database can search for projects by entering key words and phrases, or by checking boxes in one or multiple subject categories.

Roulhac said that the sheer number of projects listed might surprise many visitors to the databases.

"Many people probably don't know just how much is going on in both these areas," Roulhac said. "Hopefully, this information will spur an even increased interest in these types of activities."

The diversity database is located on Peabody Institute's Web site at http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/diversity/database.html. The K-12 database can be found at http://www.jhu.edu/~vpas.

Roulhac encourages the continued support of the university community to keep these databases accurate and current. To add a program or initiative to either database, or to update an existing entry, contact Veronica Black in the Provost's Office at 410-516-6087 or at vmblack@jhu.edu.


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