Whereas, the Board of Trustees has a longstanding, public commitment to diversity; and

Whereas, the Board of Trustees believes that our diversity efforts, as reflected in the personnel policies adopted by the Board in June 1992, are positive means of improving education for all students and providing equity for all members of our communities through encouraging access and the development of a pluralistic curriculum; and

Whereas, the Board of Trustees believes that affirmative action is an important mechanism to achieve diversity in staffing and supports the development of a strong plan to provide this diversity; and

Whereas, these diversity values stem from a genuine recognition of and respect for the contributions that students, faculty and staff with different backgrounds can bring to our institutions; and

Whereas, in recognizing our commitment to education of students of color, Bates Technical College is one of only three colleges that have identified goals in our performance funding report to assist students of color to succeed in high wage training programs;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of Bates Technical College unanimously reaffirm their continued commitment to diversity and diversity initiatives; and

Be it further resolved, that the Board of Trustees enthusiastically endorses the use of equal opportunity and affirmative action plans and strategies to ensure the success of our students.

Passed and approved, by the Board of Trustees of Bates Technical College at a meeting duly held this 15th day of April, 1998.

--- Adopted April 15, 1998 ---