Presidential Task Force Meets to Discuss Multiculturalism

September 29, 2006

COLUMBUS, OH –The Presidential Task Force on Multiculturalism, chaired by Judge Guy Reece II, held its first meeting on October 11 and will continue to meet weekly through the end of January 2007.

The task force was appointed to study the culture, climate, programs and services on the Ohio Dominican campus, specifically to address how well the university lives its mission and values, and serves the life and learning needs of all members of its community.

“This is an extremely important issue for the entire Ohio Dominican community,” said President Jack Calareso. “We are committed to living our mission and will provide the task force any and all resources necessary for a thorough review.”

The task force is comprised of  Chair Judge Guy Reece II, of the Franklin County Common Pleas Court and a trustee of Ohio Dominican; former Bishop James A. Griffin; Ohio Dominican trustee Jonathan Beard, president and CEO of Columbus Compact Corporation; professors Anne Crimmings and Jill Dardig; Sharon Reed, director of Ohio Dominican counseling services; and four Ohio Dominican students.

“The Task Force will be examining the University’s curricular and co-curricular programs; its organization and structure; its residence life and campus environment; and, its policies and procedures. We are proceeding with an aggressive meeting schedule and will provide the entire ODU community an opportunity to provide information and/or comments,” Judge Reece said. “This is an important time for ODU and we are approaching our assignment with the life and vitality of our university in mind.”

The charge of the task force is to provide a thorough assessment to the President by the end of January 2007 identifying specific recommendations to address all areas of needed improvement concerning diversity and multiculturalism at the university.