MEDIA ADVISORY

RACE RELATIONS VIDEOCONFERENCE TO BE PRESENTED AT U.Va.

    "Race Relations in Higher Education:  A Prescription for
Empowerment and Progress," a national telecommunications conference,
will be presented on Wednesday, November 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the
University of Virginia's Newcomb Hall Theatre.  Prior to the
videoconference, Ishmail Conway, assistant dean in the Office of
African-American Affairs, will lead a panel discussion at noon
focusing on race-related issues in academia.
     Topics to be discussed by videoconference panelists from around
the country include:  how to successfully anticipate and overcome
challenges to affirmative action and diversity programs, answers and
solutions to diversity issues, and how to move from a defensive to an
offensive positon on affirmative action, diversity and
multiculturalism.  U.Va. officials will be briefly featured discussing
the school's successful minority recruitment and retention rates.
     Staff, faculty and students of all races are encouraged to attend
the preconference discussion and the telecommunications conference.
     The videoconference, sponsored by Black Issues in Higher
Education, a biweekly national publication, is one of five national
conferences held each academic year.
     For more information contact Ishmail Conway at (804) 924-7923.
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                                                     November 11, 1997