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April 19, 1999 - Conference on Rural Diversity Set For Thursday
A conference entitled "Diversity In Rural Minnesota" will be
held Thursday, April 22, at St. Cloud State University in Atwood Memorial
Center. The conference is sponsored by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities,
Minnesota Public Radio Civic Journalism Initiative and St. Cloud State
University.
V. Robert Hayles, a diversity consultant who was formerly the vice president
for Pillsbury, will be the keynote speaker. Les Green, director of St.
Cloud State's Office of Cultural Diversity, and Morris J. Anderson, chancellor
of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, also will speak.
The program begins at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude about 3 p.m. Minnesotans
from faith communities, justice systems, businesses, social services,
educational institutions and other sectors of society have been invited
to attend.
"In our morning sessions, we hope to identify the challenges, benefits
and strengths of increased diversity in rural Minnesota," said Dolores
Fridge, associate vice chancellor for MnSCU's equal opportunity division.
"In the afternoon we want to come back with recommendations of how
to create more inclusive, harassment-free environments."
The day's schedule includes:
| 8:30-8:40 a.m. |
Welcome by Les Green |
| 8:40-9:50 a.m. |
Address by Dr. Robert Hayles |
| 9:50-11:45 a.m. |
Small group discussions |
| 12-12:45 p.m. |
Lunch and Chancellor Anderson speaks |
| 1-3 p.m. |
Panel and small group discussions |
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system consists of 36 state
universities, community and technical colleges. The system serves approximately
230,000 students a year with a fall 1998 enrollment of about 140,000.
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