In that Inside Higher Ed article that Roger mentions, one key quote comes from Saranna Thornton, professor of economics at Hampden-Sydney College and chair of the American Association of University Professors Committee on the Economic Status of the Profession. She says:

“People thinking of applying for jobs will go to a college Web site for a department and if they see that the department is fairly homogeneous, then they will look at the equal opportunity statement, and if it’s just an equal opportunity statement, they may think that’s wink wink, nod nod” and the department isn’t really committed to diversity, Thornton said. In contrast, if these potential candidates see a statement that explicitly invites applications from members of groups not well represented in the department, that’s a concrete invitation that could prompt the would-be candidates to actually apply, she said.

Sometimes I wonder if I live on the same planet as affirmative-action supporters such as Professor Thornton. With all the talk of diversity and inclusion, how can anyone think that any truly qualified minority or female candidate would be deterred from pursuing his or her life’s vocation simply because a college refrains from stating in a job listing that “minorities and women are encouraged to apply”? Shouldn’t we all have higher regard for minorities and women than that?