President's Committee to Address Discrimination in the Classroom records, 1982-1989

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Summary

Creator:
Duke University Office of the President President's Committee to Address Discrimination in the Classroom
Abstract:
The President's Committee to Address Discrimination in the Classroom (PCADC) was created in April 1988 to address allegations of discrimination at Duke and offer recommendations on how to reduce or eliminate this discrimination. PCADC issued their final report in February 1989. The President's Committee to Address Discrimination in the Classroom records include the results of a student survey to assess discrimination, descriptive statistics, PCADC's final report, and other materials.
Extent:
1.5 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English
Collection ID:
UA.03.02.0013
University Archives Record Group:
03 -- Presidents
03 -- Presidents > 02 -- Committees

Background

Scope and content:

The collection includes materials related to the work of the President's Commission to Address Discrimination in the Classroom (PCADC), particularly the results of the student survey conducted by the Commission. Included are completed surveys, compiled survey descriptive statistics, correspondence among PCADC, research materials, responses from other universities on discrimination policies, and copies of the final report. Survey responses and data do not include personally identifying information.

Biographical / historical:

The President's Committee to Address Discrimination in the Classroom (PCADC) was created in April 1988. Then-President H. Keith Brodie convened the committee as a response to allegations of discriminations against students made at a forum sponsored by the Duke University Black Alumni Connection, and he directed the group to both "determine the extent of discrimination experienced by our students through their interactions with faculty as well as with other students in the classroom" and, if discrimination was found, to "develop a series of recommendations" on "how this University should address this problem."

The Committee was headed by Professor Grant Shockley and included faculty, students, and administrators. The group conducted an extensive survey of students to assess perceptions of discrimination among students of different racial backgrounds. The survey found that black students were much less likely to view race relations at Duke as good than white students, and revealed a gap between perceptions of discriminatory behavior for blacks and whites. Survey results were analyzed and presented in a report to President Brodie, along with recommendations to eliminate racial discrimination at Duke. Recommendations included establishing a complaint procedure for reporting racial discrimination, offering racial sensitivity training, and improving student services that address social, cultural, and academic problems, among other suggestions.

In February 1989, the report and its recommendations were formally endorsed by the President's Council on Black Affairs.

Acquisition information:
Transfer, 1990
Processing information:

Processed by: University Archives Staff

Finding aid derived from MARC record, November 2014

Collection re-processed and collection guide created by Tracy M. Jackson, February 2017.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright for official university records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], in the President's Committee to Address Discrimination in the Classroom records, 1982-1989, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.