Virginia Commonwealth University Group Seeks to Increase Number of Black Faculty

RICHMOND, Va. — A group at Virginia Commonwealth University is working to reverse a decline in Black faculty members.

Black Education Association president and psychology teacher Faye Z. Belgrave tells the Richmond Times-Dispatch that the percentage of Black faculty is lower today than it was a decade ago.

A report presented to the Board of Visitors earlier this month showed 37 tenured professors this fall, or about 5 percent, are Black, while 564 are White. Eleven professors on the tenure track, or 6.9 percent, are Black and 159 are White.

The association has voiced its concerns to VCU President Michael Rao. Rao plans to hold town hall meetings in the spring on recruitment and promotion of Black faculty.