Needed Departures

DO THE RECOMMENDATIONS in the recently released study of minority and women Faculty represent a major departure from current hiring policies? Administrators and Faculty members seem unsure. If, as some suggest, the proposals do not portend a shift in Harvard's affirmative action practices, then the study will prove worthless.

For what the Faculty now needs in order to increase the numbers of minorities and women in its ranks is a major departure from its current, failed affirmative action stance--a shift in posture that will prevent departments from easily discarding such minority and women scholars as Theda R. Skocpol, associate professor of Sociology, Thomas C. Holt, associate professor of Sociology, Thomas C. Holt, associate professor of Afro-American Studies and of History, Molly Nolan, assistant professor of History, Mangol Bayat, assistant professor of History, and Selwyn R. Cudjoe, assistant professor of Afro-American Studies, to name several examples from recent years.

To its credit, the study sets forth several recommendations that do depart from current affirmative action policies. Reserving two visiting professorships for minority and women scholars, strengthening the DuBois Institute, and considering the creation of new Faculty positions for outstanding scholars when no spots are open are easily accomplished suggestions that have a chance to succeed in increasing the numbers of women and minorities on the Faculty.

But the report also repeated a list of facts that is by now an old and depressing tale. It confirmed that the numbers of women and minorities on the Faculty are embarrassingly small. It also confirmed that the number of minority PH. D.-holders--theoretically the pool of scholars available for positions here--is minuscule. It further suggested, by quoting a former Faculty member, that minority scholars do not find the atmosphere at Harvard very congenial.

And the study failed to examine departments' reluctance to hire young scholars--a practice that has cost many promising academics tenured positions here and that has unquestionably helped keep the number of minorities and women on the Faculty low. Until departments rid themselves of this aversion to youth, all scholars--but especially women and minorities--will find it difficult to work their way up to a tenured professorship here. The earlier Harvard catches the top minority and women scholars, the more likely they will remain here.

If the study of minority and women Faculty members is to have any effect at all, it will take a concerted effort by Faculty members to carry out the step-by-step procedures set forth in the report. Administrators should make sure departments follow the guidelines and take actions to correct a disgraceful situation that has been accepted as the status quo for too long.