Kenneth Durgans, the last of three finalists for UW-Madison vice provost for diversity and climate, met with students Wednesday to discuss his career goals if hired for the position.
Durgans, currently the vice provost for institute diversity at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., said his goals include increasing communication and aligning agendas between the vice provost and student organizations on campus.
By working on the same level as student organizations, he said, student needs and concerns will be addressed directly in the most efficient manner.
The whole issue of what is important to students should not be something that the administrator dictates to students in the context of their everyday experience,"" he said. ""I want to help you strategically think through the things that you want. That's what I see my role as.""
Durgans said it was important for students to educate the university about who they are and what they need.
He reiterated that even though he had an agenda of his own, he would bring his ideas to the student organizations for their input and perhaps co-sponsorship.
""I don't want you to be influenced by what I went through,"" he said. ""I want you to want what you want, and then I can help you from a strategic standpoint.""
Durgans added students should be emboldened and feel comfortable enough to challenge the system. He said if he alone fought for programs that stood to be cut, the fight would not last since the university would view lack of student support as a lack of student interest.
""The one thing I won't do is put words in your mouth,"" he said.""It is my responsibility or the position's responsibility to not only make sure it [student needs] gets heard, but to advocate for a solution to that.""
Seema Kapani and Damon Williams, the other two finalists, have already visited the campus. Chancellor John Wiley and Provost Patrick Farrell will announce the appointed vice provost in the near future.
