Some black student leaders are questioning Iowa State President Martin Jischke’s appointment of a black professor as a diversity advisor to his cabinet.

They say Derek Rollins, a professor of chemical engineering and chairman of the African-American Studies Program, was only appointed because of his color.

Rollins himself has also wondered: Why him?

“Students are wise to question my appointment as they have. I have questioned it myself. On the surface it doesn’t make much sense,” Rollins said.

He said the position takes some of his focus off his responsibilities as a scientist and a professor, the reasons he came to ISU.

Milton McGriff, a member of the September 29th Movement, a specially organized group pushing to get the name of Catt Hall changed, said Jischke’s motives are political.

“Dr. Rollins is a brilliant man who has the respect of the African-American community and the ISU community,” he said, adding that the problem is with Rollins’ background.

“If you want someone to advise you on diversity, why not get someone who specializes in that field?” McGriff asked. “Since this is not his field, what’s the point?”

McGriff said if Jischke didn’t want someone with diversity experience, he could have hired anyone on the faculty.

“Jischke is more concerned with the cosmetics,” he said.

Jischke, however, has a different view. “Professor Rollins was invited to take on this responsibility because of his commitment to the issue of diversity and his experience, as well as my personal respect for him,” he said.

Jischke said Rollins is “one of the most accomplished young professors at Iowa State.”

Using the president’s logic, Rollins is able to make some sense of the position he recently accepted.

“I took the position because I felt that I do have something to contribute, something very important.”

Allan Nosworthy, a graduate student in creative writing and chairman and spokesman for the September 29th Movement, is also confused.

“Why not go with the folks who have researched and taught on issues of diversity rather than with someone who has researched chemical engineering and statistics?” he asked.

But Nosworthy said he hopes none of this is interpreted negatively because, “Rollins has done a lot for the community.”

Rollins said he has spoken to many students on campus, off campus and from other nations about issues of race and diversity since his appointment.

Despite his initial discomfort, Rollins said he will work to further campus diversity issues.

“A very important characteristic is that I care what’s happening to this campus in terms of the university,” he said.

“I examined my own personality, and I feel I’m the kind of person who will speak his mind. I will challenge people and question things that are being done openly.”