Institutional Commitment, Transparency, Coordination, and Accountability
Leadership Commitment
- Develop a statement of shared principles for diversity, equity and inclusion for all members of our ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ community. As part of planned review of ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ mission and institutional learning outcomes, consider how this commitment may be realized in these foundational statements.
- Overseen by: Elizabeth Garcia, Executive Director of the Office of Equity and Diversity
- Item Status: Complete.
- Update: A subcommittee of the Council for Diversity and Inclusion (“CDI”) researched shared principles statements from other institutions of higher education. The subcommittee drafted set of principles that was submitted to Cabinet. Cabinet reviewed, revised, and approved the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Shared Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Principles at a Cabinet meeting in Fall 2023. The principles are located on the EDI Website.
- Investigate internal resources, and consider examples from peer and aspirant institutions, to recommend a structure to oversee and coordinate the iimplementation of the Plan, and connect this work to that of others engaged in diversity and inclusion efforts throughout the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ.
- Overseen by: Michelle Maldonado, Provost and Sr. Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Patricia Tetreault, Vice President of Human Resources
- Item Status: Complete.
- Updates:
- A subcommittee of CDI, led by Maldonado and Tetreault, examined peer and aspirant institutions, and proposed certain recommendations to certain Vice Presidents. The recommendations
resulted in Academic Affairs hiring a Student Success Specialist to focus on First Generation and Historically underrepresented student in the Office of Student Support and Success (OSSS). Additionally, the library hired Student Success librarian who will focus on similar populations. - In September 2023, Dr. Shaefny Grays was hired to serve as the Assistant Dean for Culture & Inclusion. In this role, she oversees the Cultural Centers (Jane Kopas Women’s Center and Multicultural Center) and the THR1VE program for first-generation students while helping the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ to advance this Campuswide plan for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
- A subcommittee of CDI, led by Maldonado and Tetreault, examined peer and aspirant institutions, and proposed certain recommendations to certain Vice Presidents. The recommendations
- Establish clear expectations for the support of campus diversity, equity and inclusion goals in all administrative and academic units, from the department level to the Board of Trustees, and prioritize sufficient and sustainable resources for this work.
- Overseen by: ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Cabinet
- Item Status: Work in progress.
- Updates:
- Board of Trustees embarked on creating support for diversity, equity, and inclusion by engaging in a day of DEI training in the Winter of 2022. The training included outside speakers and the
completion of the AJCU’s racial examen. Upon completion of the training, the Board of Trustees committed personal financial resources for DEI work and the Opening Door Scholarship. The
Governance Committee of the Board is working to continue to diversify the Board of Trustees. - The Provost and Executive Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity regularly to meet with Divisional Vice Presidents, Deans and other Administrators to advance, support and encouraged DEI work, including identifying and assigning oversight of certain plan goals and objectives.
- Beginning in 2022, the Division of Student Life established a divisional goal related to DEI to help advance the Campuswide Plan. For 2023-2024, the goal reads "Foster an inclusive community that is committed to social justice and grounded in Ignatian ideals by: supporting students from historically underserved backgrounds through intentional initiatives and programs; and offering initiatives and programs to generate awareness and respect and inspire action on the part of
students.” -
Starting in 2022, the Office of Human Resources developed specific goals related to DEI to promote a more inclusive community and support the Campuswide Plan. The 2023-24 goal ccontinued collaboration with community and campus partners to develop and implement additional recruitment and retention tools and events, as well as training programs, to support an inclusive community.
- Board of Trustees embarked on creating support for diversity, equity, and inclusion by engaging in a day of DEI training in the Winter of 2022. The training included outside speakers and the
- Expand opportunities for worship, retreat, fellowship and mentorship, and service that emphasize and explore the role of diversity and inclusion in our Catholic, Jesuit mission for students, faculty, staff, and other members of the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ community.
- Overseen by: Daniel Cosacchi, Vice President for Mission and Ministry
- Item status:
- Update:
- The Jesuit Center book club for faculty on racial justices has read Caste," by Isabel Wilkerson, "The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America," by Carol Anderson, and "So You Want to Talk About Race," by Ijeoma Oluo.
- The First Year Faculty Ignatian Workshop focuses on a monthly unit on racial justice and mission.
- One of the yearly Spirituality Luncheons intentionally focuses on women and race.
- Incorporation of inclusion discussions and principles into Search retreats offered by the Division of Mission and Ministry.
- Center for Service and Social Justice established new programming called "Hooked on Justice" which focused weekly on themes including racial justice, etc. This program will be expanded and developed further.