2006 Diversity Summit keynote speaker Lee Mun Wah, left, speaks with a participant. The summit was held Feb. 21-23. (Photo/Andi Fabri)

The Blue Ribbon Commission's final report on diversity at the CU-Boulder campus is expected to be sent to CU President Hank Brown, Interim Chancellor Phil DiStefano and Interim Provost Susan Avery on March 1.

"When the Commission finalizes its recommendations, I intend to respond with an action plan that is clear, strong and effective," said DiStefano in a student e-memo on Jan. 28.

The Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Equity sent a draft report to commission members earlier this month, giving them an opportunity to add their comments, to be included in the final report. DiStefano is scheduled to issue his response to the report by May 1.

The 60-member commission met on Jan. 21 to discuss diversity at CU-Boulder and set recommendations for improving the campus climate. Commissioners voted on 10 preliminary recommendations, including mandatory diversity training for administration, faculty and staff, and additional support and funding for diversity programs that contribute to the recruitment and retention of minority students.

A town hall meeting was held on Jan. 25 in order for community members to gain insight from CU-Boulder students. Several students in attendance shared their personal experiences of dealing with racism and intolerance at the CU-Boulder campus.

The Blue Ribbon Commission was called together by Brown after a number of racially motivated incidents occurred last semester. The commission includes 10 CU-Boulder students at large, three UCSU tri-executives and 47 community members, including former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and former State Senator Regis Goff.

The commission is scheduled to meet at the CU-Denver Health Sciences center on March 4 and CU-Colorado Springs on April 7.

To read the draft report visit The Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting. For more information, visit Blue Ribbon Commission on Diversity.