Sophomore Khanh Le (center) speaks to new Vice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity Gregory Vincent as junior Hanna Persson (right) listens in the EMU Thursday morning. Danielle Hickey Photo Editor DIVERSITY continued from page 1 2,620 as of fall 2003, according to the Office of the Registrar. Vincent said that, while it is inappropriate to set a specific number goal each year, it is important to strive for greater numbers. "What can be done is to say that di versity is a core educational value and that developing critical mass is a prior ity," he said, adding that barriers, such as Oregon's demographics and current economic climate, make it challenging to recruit minority students. He said that Oregon needs to recommit to higher education, allow ing the University to become more af fordable and attractive. He added that the University is faring well compared to other schools around the country that have larger recruitment pools. "Proportionately, we're doing as well or better," he said. He suggested a recruitment plan that entails recruiting first from Ore gon and then on a larger regional and national scale. Many agreed that retention of fac ulty of color is vital for recruiting stu dents of color. Minorities make up about 10 percent of the faculty, staff and administration population, ac cording to the Office of Resource Management. Vincent said it is necessary to hire more senior faculty of color for this purpose. "Getting funding for that is going to be my highest priority," he said. "If you're the only person (of color) in your department that gets to be difficult." Office of Multicultural Affairs Direc tor Carla D. Gary said a diversity initia tive will require a community effort, adding that candid conversations about the issues will help facilitate the process. "We're going to live this as a com munity every day," she said. "Everyone has a responsibility because everyone is a community citizen." She added that Vincent brings a fresh perspective to the process of cre ating a more diverse campus. "It's not going to be easy, but it's go ing to happen," she said. The last two meetings in this series of open discussions will include a gen eral meeting on March 16 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the EMU Gum wood Room. The last meeting will fo cus on issues of faculty and staff of col or and will be held on March 31 from 11:30 a m. to 1:00 p.m., also in the EMU Gumwood Room. Contact the higher education/ student life/student affairs reporter at chelseaduncan@dailyemerald.com. LAW continued from page 1 he said. "Have some stones in your bag and know how to throw 'em straight." Goodwin is known as the "cow boy jurist" because he grew up in central Oregon and was pho tographed in a January 1969 issue of National Geographic lassoing a calf in a rodeo. He has had a role in some of the nation's most controversial re cent decisions, including a 2002 rul ing that held that teacher-led recita tion of the Pledge of Allegiance violates the First Amendment's pro hibition against the establishment of a state religion. Goodwin may soon face a case re garding gay marriage. The 9th Circuit Court is based in San Francisco where city officials sparked a firestorm Feb. 12 by issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The 9th Circuit also includes Multnomah County, which followed San Francisco's lead. Goodwin declined to comment on the legal standing of same-sex mar riage, but hinted where he thinks gay rights might be headed. "Anybody interested in that should study history and cultural anthropolo gy," Goodwin said, adding there are "economic and Darwinian reasons" why the stability of marriage is desirable Goodwin also defended the court in response to a question about the U.S. Supreme Court's frequent rever sal of 9th Circuit decisions. "We do get reversed more often than any other circuit court because our caseload is greater than any other circuit," Goodwin said. "Our batting average is pretty good." Goodwin pointed to a recent unan imous affirmation of a 9th Circuit de cision by the Supreme Court, joking, "I don't know what we did wrong." Law Professor Garrett Epps said Goodwin's visit was an honor to the University. "Goodwin is one of the law school's most loyal alumni and one of our most prestigious and successful gradu ates," Epps said. "The opportunity to hear what a judge thinks about a case or an issue is just precious. Beyond that, he's just an inspiring figure." Goodwin elicited laughter from the audience when he said some of President Nixon's actions, such as signing the Endangered Species Act, have had consequences Nixon might not have intended. "President Nixon signed a lot of laws that he began to wonder about, I think," Goodwin said. Goodwin said Nixon's appoint ment of him to the federal bench tar nished the president's legacy in the eyes of his supporters. "I'm probably the most conspicu ous mistake that he's made as far as some of his fans are concerned," Goodwin said. Goodwin also touched on current events, lamenting the politicization of the judicial nomination process. "I can't imagine the agony that a judge will go through now with the long, bitter inquisition that will even tually lead to (the nominee's) ap pointment or rejection," he said. Ben Andersen, a first-year law stu dent, said Goodwin's visit and a re cent appearance of the Oregon Supreme Court were exciting events for the law school. "It's a good time for law students," Andersen said. Contact the campus/ federal politics reporter atchuckslothower@dailyemerald.com. JADE PALACE « CHINESE f SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 20 Years in Business! In honor of your support, we are offering V2 price specials and V2 price buffet March 9th-14th. 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