Attracting Minority Graduate Students and Faculty in an Atmosphere of Increasing Competition

Given the currently limited numbers of minority students seeking graduate degrees, the competition among universities to attract them has increased. The role that faculty should play in recruiting and retaining minority graduate students is discussed, in particular the type and quality of the relationship between minority graduate students, especially those with teaching and research assistantships, and faculty. The responsibilities of graduate deans and their staffs in encouraging minority students is also briefly discussed. Three tables provide data on degrees received by blacks in selected areas, 1983-86; percentage distribution of faculty at four-year institutions by racial background, sex and ethnic group, 1984; and percent of research and teaching assistantships awarded to doctoral students in selected fields by racial/ethnic group, 1985. (KM)