LEXINGTON - Eleven black faculty members will join the University of Kentucky this fall to help make up for the loss of several scholars who have left in the past few years.

        “In terms of the absolute number of faculty of color being added, this is an improvement, so we're pleased with that,” said Mike Nietzel, acting provost. “It's the result of deans and (department) chairs taking the challenge of conducting open searches and bringing people of color and women to campus for interviews. The administration also made it clear to deans and chairs that this was a priority.”

        UK President Lee Todd said the administration “tried to raise the awareness of our faculty and deans that if they looked harder they'll find extremely qualified African-Americans.”

        The hirings were aimed at attracting minority faculty in general, but black professors in particular. The university's plan calls for 4 percent of its faculty to be black, about 75 positions - up from the 2001-02 number of 57 positions, or 3 percent.

        Not everyone is impressed by 11 hires.

        “Eleven campuswide?” said Debra Harley, an education professor. “It's not good.”

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