University tries to boost diversity

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LINCOLN — It was billed as the “Women in Physics” conference at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The goal of organizers was to allow women interested in physics to interact with one another.

But about one-third of the 80 undergraduate students who signed up were men, said Axel Anders, a UNL physics professor.

The conference is an example of how university officials are trying to boost campus diversity while still abiding by a constitutional amendment that bars preferential treatment based on race, gender or ethnicity.

Initiative 424, often called the “anti-affirmative action” amendment, applies to public higher education facilities and other public entities in Nebraska. University officials were among those who opposed its passage last year.

The ‘‘Women in Physics'' event, held this fall, was in keeping with Initiative 424, a top UNL official said.

“As a university, we're supposed to talk about issues,” said Susan Poser, chief of staff to Chancellor Harvey Perlman. “What 424 does is make very clear that we still can. But we can't be exclusive about who can come participate.”

http://www.omaha.com/article/20091227/NEWS01/712279897/0/SPECIAL