Overall Rating Bronze
Overall Score 34.48
Liaison Rebecca Jones
Submission Date Feb. 9, 2022

STARS v2.2

Austin College
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.75 / 3.00 Rebecca Jones
Coordinator
Center for Environmental Studies
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Non-discrimination statement 

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:
"Austin College affirms the importance of a program that does not discriminate with regard to religion or creed, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, age, or economic status." Found here: https://bulletin.austincollege.edu/general-information/

Bias response team 

Does the institution have a discrimination response protocol or committee (sometimes called a bias response team)?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s discrimination response protocol or team:
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Recruitment programs 

Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit students from underrepresented groups?:
Yes

Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit academic staff from underrepresented groups?:
Yes

Does the institution have programs designed specifically to recruit non-academic staff from underrepresented groups?:
Yes

If yes to any of the above, provide:

A brief description of the institution’s programs to recruit students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups:
For the past four years, the student body at Austin College has been a majority students of color. Part of this growth has been a product of our formalized partnerships with select charter high schools across Texas that support the mission of minority and first generation students pursing higher education. We currently hold five partnership agreements that includes over 40 high schools in the state of Texas. We select up to 60 students each year from our partner high schools and designate them as scholars, which provides them the benefit of having full need met for them to be able to attend Austin College. We also work with our partner high schools to facilitate college presentations to inform students of their options and work with them through the admission and financial aid process.
Recruiting from underrepresented groups is an ongoing effort by all those who recruit for open positions at Austin College. The college utilizes HigherEdJobs and invests in the optional post enhancement that places the posting in Diversity and Inclusion highlighted areas of the online source. The Chief HR Officer actively seeks other sources that will place open positions in front of underrepresented groups.
The Academic Affairs Committee researched and developed policies consistent with non-discrimination laws to promote the goal of increasing the representation of underrepresented groups among the faculty. These guidelines include a hiring-for-diversity checklist for faculty searches and information about barriers to faculty diversity.

Mentoring, counseling and support programs 

Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support, academic support, or other programs designed specifically to support students from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes

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

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

A brief description of the institution’s programs designed specifically to support students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups:
Our Academic Skills Center has specific programs in place to assist students with disabilities. Special accommodations (including test accommodations) can be made, and students with disabilities receive notices to give to their instructors. More information can be found here: http://www.austincollege.edu/campus-life/academic-skills-center/access-services/

Support for future academic staff

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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Optional Fields 

Does the institution produce a publicly accessible inventory of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus?:
Yes

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

Website URL where information about the institution’s support for underrepresented groups is available:
https://www.austincollege.edu/campus-life/title-ix-office/#:~:text=Austin%20College%20is%20committed%20to%20equal%20opportunity%20and%20does%20not,that%20is%20protected%20by%20applicable

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.