New Gu Leader Off To A Good Start

From the beginning, the Rev. Edward Glynn knew what to say to ease racial tensions at Gonzaga University. Shortly after he was named president of the 109-year-old institution last spring, he addressed head-on the threats made to black law students by saying, “The first thing is to let everyone know that behavior is not acceptable.”

It may seem simplistic, but Glynn’s approach is a smart one. Lay down the law, say it loud and clear, and follow it up with action.

Glynn is off to a promising start.

He has the benefit of coming in with a clean slate. Gonzaga’s initial reaction to the hate mail sent to several African American law students just before finals last spring and in 1995 was surprise. Despite taking some steps toward solving the problem, the university was second-guessed at every turn; officials didn’t do enough to diversify or make targeted students feel safe, critics said.

The mistrust and fear was difficult to cut through, despite efforts at dialogue by university leaders. The best sign that change might come was in July, when a task force released its plan designed to combat race problems on campus.

The 27-member task force recommended establishing an Institute for Human Diversity and Social Justice on campus, increasing anti-discrimination training for staff and students, and requiring students to study race and cultural issues for graduation. It’s all aimed at preparing students for a world where diversity is the rule, not the exception.

As Vera King Ferris, president of Richard Stockton College in New Jersey, said at Glynn’s inauguration Thursday, “If you are turning out students who are not interacting with African Americans, you are turning out students who are not prepared for the 21st century.”

That goes for other ethnicities, too. Tomorrow’s adults need more than an education, they need to know how to live and participate in a global community. If they don’t know it already, they need to know that all people - regardless of race - have something to contribute toward making our world a better place for everyone.

Glynn already has pledged to hire more people of color for the faculty; that move alone will encourage minority students who see little diversity at the front of the classroom. He brings a fresh, determined approach to solving the race problem at Gonzaga. His leadership will serve Gonzaga - and the larger Spokane community - well.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Anne Windishar/For the editorial board