Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 60.78
Liaison Jessica Bowen
Submission Date March 4, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Aquinas College
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.25 / 3.00 Jessica Eimer Bowen
Director of Sustainability
Center for Sustainability
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Does the institution have a publicly posted non-discrimination statement? :
Yes

The non-discrimination statement, including the website URL where the policy is publicly accessible:

Non-discrimination Policy: It is the policy of Aquinas College that no person on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability shall be discriminated against, excluded from participation or employment in, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity for which Aquinas College is responsible.


Does the institution have a discrimination response protocol or committee (sometimes called a bias response team) to respond to and support those who have experienced or witnessed a bias incident, act of discrimination or hate crime?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s discrimination response protocol or team (including examples of actions taken during the previous three years):

Community members can report Incidents via the Bias Incident Reporting Form (https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?AquinasCollege&layout_id=3). This system is managed by the Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (CDI&E). CDI&E serves as a space for people to come and seek support for any situation they feel could be connected to their identity. The department offers them all the options available to report the issue. This could be informally speaking with CDI&E staff or filling out a Bias Incident Report. Bias Incident Report Form Information is then reviewed by a campus committee of staff, faculty, and students and the appropriate action is taken. In the case of a student code violation, a complaint is filed through the Dean of Students Office. Title 9 issues will be immediately referred to the campus Title 9 coordinator. If it is apparent that further counseling support is needed, the person is referred to the Counseling, Health, and Wellness Center. In the case of a student who is not connected socially, we will also try to connect them to one of the 7 cultural student organizations if any of them seem to be a good fit. There are no examples of actions to report as of yet.


Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit students from underrepresented groups?:
No

Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit staff from underrepresented groups?:
No

Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit faculty from underrepresented groups?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s programs to recruit students, staff and/or faculty from underrepresented groups:
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Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support, academic support, or other programs to support students from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes

Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs to support staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
No

Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs to support faculty from underrepresented groups on campus?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s programs to support students, staff and/or faculty from underrepresented groups:

All support services on campus are open to students and college employees from all backgrounds. Additionally there are supportive programs which target underrepresented individuals specifically including:
- Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity - The EXCEL Mentor Program is designed to increase underrepresented student involvement and success by promoting community building, academic excellence, cultural engagement and spiritual exploration. Interested students are matched with an upper-class mentor for their first two semesters at Aquinas.
- Accessibility Services - The Accessibility Services Office works to assist students with disabilities and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
- Student Support Services - The Student Support Services (SSS) program is funded by the United State Department of Education serving low-income, first-generation, and students’ with disabilities. Students that qualify for and join our program are dedicated to their academic, personal and professional success. Academic Support is one of our essential services and includes; academic mentoring, language support, peer coaching, peer tutoring, and writing support.
- Counseling, Health and Wellness: The mission of Counseling, Health & Wellness Services is to assist Aquinas students with their pursuit of personal, mental and physical health and equip them with skills that will allow them to be successful in achieving balance in their lives. We fulfill this mission by: Providing a safe environment where students can openly express their thoughts and feelings to a counselor who serves as an objective listener; Providing improved health and self well-being; Providing positive self well-being in emotional and vocational pursuits.; and Providing assistance in the balance of wellness gained by the Dominican Pillars.


Does the institution have training and development programs, teaching fellowships and/or other programs that specifically aim to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s programs to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members:
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Does the institution produce a publicly accessible inventory of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus?:
No

Does the institution offer housing options to accommodate the special needs of transgender and transitioning students?:
Yes

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.