DiversityInc. named Duke a top university for diversity, ranking it among five colleges that "stand head and shoulders above the rest."
Same-sex domestic partner benefits are one reason Duke is a diversity leader in higher education. Faith Gardner (left) and Laurel Ferejohn are both
enrolled in Duke's health care benefits."At Duke, I feel included and valued--we both do--because our partnership is acknowledged and supported with benefits," commented
Ferejohn, senior managing editor at Duke University Press.
Duke Recognized for Diversity
DiversityInc., the leading publication on diversity and business, named Duke a top university for diversity, ranking it among five colleges that "stand head and shoulders above the rest."
Duke was highlighted in the magazine's October 2008 issue for strong work/life benefits, inclusiveness for same-sex domestic partners, and its non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. Other deciding factors include Duke's strong philanthropic efforts in the Durham community and commitment to contracting with diverse suppliers.
"The complex impact of diversity and inclusion cannot be portrayed by a single survey," said Benjamin D. Reese, Jr., vice president, Office for Institutional Equity. "That being said, this top five ranking does highlight the commitment and diligent efforts of so many of Duke's staff and faculty."
Duke was among 606 public and private four-year academic institutions that received DiversityInc.'s 91-question diversity management survey. Only 15 institutions completed the survey.
In the article announcing the results, DiversityInc said that the reason why so few completed the survey was because "they either didn't have the data or felt that their answers were so paltry that they couldn't enter them."
According to DiversityInc, 90 percent of the 606 schools contacted do not have a diversity director or head of diversity.
The other four institutions chosen were Cornell University; Kean University; Rutgers University and University of California at Santa Barbara.
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