Abstract

In this paper, we use case study techniques to examine how Auburn University handled its diversity efforts in terms of its publicly stated goals and how these goals may not have reflected the actual events and goals being pursued. Specifically, we are interested in answering the following question: How well do Auburn University’s official goals, as expressed in formal documents and public relations efforts match its operative behaviors? The investigators combed institutional and newspaper archives to gather documents, newspaper accounts, memos, reports, and announcements related to the university’s diversity issues and initiatives from October 2001 to July 2008. In addition, these same types of artifacts were collected to determine campus and community reactions to the university’s official goals and public relations efforts toward diversity. This paper will examine Auburn’s official goals toward diversity in light of actual behaviors taken in four cases: The Halloween Incident, The Diversity Plan, The Richardson Years, and The Fisher Report.