AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- A special task force Tuesday recommended changes at the University of Texas at Austin to further understanding between racial and ethnic groups.
UT President Larry Faulkner named the 15-member Task Force on Racial Respect and Fairness nearly a year ago to examine diversity issues at the university.
The panel recommended creation of a vice president for diversity and equity, new programs to improve relations between students and university police and a renewed emphasis on recruiting of minority groups.
"Our group found that one of the fundamental problems is that people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds don't understand each other. These recommendations are aimed at increasing opportunities for all of us to understand each other better," said task force chairwoman Darlene Grant, associate dean of graduate studies.
The task force found growing evidence of a willingness at the university to enhance racial respect and fairness but more must be done to achieve sustained change, the report said.
Faulkner said he would gather comments from the university community, then develop a plan to action.
