Utah Valley State College isn't hiring enough minority workers or women and could be in trouble with the federal government if something isn't changed right away.
Women and minority applicants are not surviving the screening process for jobs on the campus, said Carla Holm, director of personnel.Although several women may start into a job interview process, in most cases only men get to the final round.
Blaine Kelly from the personnel office introduced a draft of an affirmative action plan - outlining just how that process will change - to the board of trustees this month at their regular meeting.
Kelly explained since the college is receiving federal funds and employing more than 50 people, the affirmative action plan is re-quir-ed.
"These documents are evidence of our commitment to do this," said Kelly.
He noted the University of Utah is already undergoing an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor for possible failure to abide by the standards.
The plan calls for an effort to recruit minorities and women as positions become available.
"We're currently underutilizing these groups," said Kelly. "We have to raise the level of awareness of interviewers who tend to pick people `just like us.' "
Tests for applicants will be those validated by the labor department, including a typing and general aptitude test.
President Kerry Romesburg said diversity is healthy and a commitment from the college to meet federal hiring mix standards is the "thing to do."
He pointed out, however, that once the affirmative action plan is accepted and adopted, "We must meet it. It's prima facia discrimination to ignore it."
He said accusations of reverse discrimination could also come about as the college moves to increase the numbers of minorities employed.
"We're trying to sell the idea," he said, "that the best person might be the one who'll bring diversity.
"But we won't hire the under-qualified," said the president.
"If we make a good-faith effort, then there's no consequence," explained Kelly.
Of the 608 contract employees at the college, 76 in the faculty are women. In salaried full-time jobs, there are 195 women.
By comparison, males on the faculty number 134. Full-time salaried men number 174.
"But that percentage is consistent with the population," said Kelly.
Among the faculty there are no ethnic females and just four ethnic males. In full-time salaried positions, there are seven ethnic males and nine ethnic females.
"That's essentially where we're out of line," said Kelly. "We're underutilizing ethnic females. Our objective is to come up to 31 of ethnic origin in the faculty."
White females are concentrated in certain areas, he added, with none in trade areas, for instance.
Lucille Stoddard, vice-president of academic affairs, said getting more women and minority representatives in place at the college would provide much-needed role models.
"I believe we can do this," she said.
Others on the board worried about the lack of support system for ethnic minorities within Utah Valley. It was noted that without a support system, minorities tend to come and leave.
After some discussion, a decision was made to submit the entire document to the attorney general's office for review.
Romesburg said deans and department chairs at the college have reviewed the plan but the general faculty has not.