University of Maryland to cut Office of Diversity?

This just in from the University of Maryland, courtesy The Washington Post: Assistant Provost Cordell Black is said to be "leaving." Further, due to budgetary cuts, the position (that also takes care of the Office of Diversity and Equity) is being cut to part-time, although the University maintains a replacement is being looked into. Countering the student newspaper Diamondback, who alleged on Facebook that African-American enrollment had dropped 28% for the 2009 freshman class, university officials say it was the economy "hampering efforts to diversity student population."

A familiar story for corporate America. When times are tough and someone needs to get cut, Diversity often gets the axe before the more obvious "revenue generating divisions." Not surprising then that universities are following suit.