SNU launches council to boost minority rights on campus

Seoul National University (SNU) has founded a diversity council in an attempt to create a better environment for minorities on campus including women, foreigners and the disabled, Wednesday.

SNU is the first university to set up such an official organization directly under the university president.

The idea of the council, proposed by female professors at the university, started from concerns that women are underrepresented on the faculty. Of the 2,075 SNU professors, only 302, or 14 percent, are female, falling short of the government recommended proportion of 20 percent.

“The discussion was initially focused on improving gender equality, but expanded to foster the understanding of minorities and protect their rights on campus,” a school official said.

Comprising 15 professors, foreign and Korean students and community members, the council will conduct research and publish yearly reports on ways to enrich diversity. It also plans to manage public awareness campaigns.

“The council will pursue gender equality and help foreign professors and students integrate with campus life. This can be a good example for other schools,” the official said.

The council chairwoman, life sciences professor Roe Jung-hye, said she hopes the council will lay the groundwork for equality on campus.