| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.40 |
| Liaison | Margaret Lo |
| Submission Date | June 12, 2023 |
Ball State University
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Rashida
Willard Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence Inclusive Excellence |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Non-discrimination statement
Yes
The non-discrimination statement, including the website URL where the policy is publicly accessible:
Ball State University provides equal opportunity to all students and applicants for admission in its education programs, activities, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex (except where sex is a bona fide qualification), sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, national origin, ancestry, or age.
Ball State University provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in its recruitment, hiring, retention, promotion, tenure, transfer, layoff, return from layoff, training, and other employment decisions and in its compensation and benefits programs without regard to race, religion, color, sex (except where sex is a bona fide occupational qualification), sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, national origin, ancestry, age, or citizenship (for U. S. citizens and protected lawfully-admitted aliens).
Expanded descriptions of the university policies addressing this commitment can be found on the following web links:
Public Statement on the Importance of Inclusive Excellence.
https://www.bsu.edu/about/inclusive-excellence
Beneficence Pledge:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/beneficence
EOAA Policy:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/general-counsel/policies-and-legal-information/equal-opportunity-and-affirmative-action-policy
Non-Discrimination Policy
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/associate-dean-of-students/title-ix
Ball State University provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in its recruitment, hiring, retention, promotion, tenure, transfer, layoff, return from layoff, training, and other employment decisions and in its compensation and benefits programs without regard to race, religion, color, sex (except where sex is a bona fide occupational qualification), sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, national origin, ancestry, age, or citizenship (for U. S. citizens and protected lawfully-admitted aliens).
Expanded descriptions of the university policies addressing this commitment can be found on the following web links:
Public Statement on the Importance of Inclusive Excellence.
https://www.bsu.edu/about/inclusive-excellence
Beneficence Pledge:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/beneficence
EOAA Policy:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/general-counsel/policies-and-legal-information/equal-opportunity-and-affirmative-action-policy
Non-Discrimination Policy
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/associate-dean-of-students/title-ix
Bias response team
Yes
A brief description of the institution’s discrimination response protocol or team:
Bias Response Team
In the occurrence of a bias incident at Ball State, the Bias Response Team is here to help you resolve the problem and assist you in accessing the services you need. The team includes members from several offices within the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services and Ball State faculty.
Members of our Bias Response Team provide support to students across campus when incidents of bias are reported. Team members provide targets of bias with a safe space to listen to concerns, help develop an action plan to address the incident or situation, and track the progress being made in resolving the issue.
The bias response does not take action but instead works with targets to bias to use already established grievance processes (conduct, Title IX, governance, etc.) to address bias incidents. The purpose to the team is to provide support and guidance to targets of bias incidents.
Ball State University aspires to be a university that attracts and retains a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. Ball State is committed to ensuring that all members of the campus community are welcome through our practice of valuing the varied experiences and worldviews of those we serve. We promote a culture of respect and civil discourse as evident in our Beneficence Pledge.
We encourage students to report incidents of bias immediately. If you witness, directly experience or find evidence of a bias incident on campus, you can use the Bias Reporting form or contact the Multicultural Center.
Expanded descriptions of the university policies addressing this commitment can be found on the following web links:
Bias Incident Reporting and Bias Response Team
https://www.bsu.edu/campuslife/multicultural-center/bias-incident-reporting
Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/inclusive-excellence/lgbtq-resources
Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policy:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/general-counsel/policies-and-legal-information/sexual-harassment
Hazing Policy:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/student-conduct/policiesandprocedures/hazing
Anti-harassment Policy:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/staffcouncil/otherlinks/antiharassment
Code of Student rights and responsibilities:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/student-conduct/policiesandprocedures
In the occurrence of a bias incident at Ball State, the Bias Response Team is here to help you resolve the problem and assist you in accessing the services you need. The team includes members from several offices within the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services and Ball State faculty.
Members of our Bias Response Team provide support to students across campus when incidents of bias are reported. Team members provide targets of bias with a safe space to listen to concerns, help develop an action plan to address the incident or situation, and track the progress being made in resolving the issue.
The bias response does not take action but instead works with targets to bias to use already established grievance processes (conduct, Title IX, governance, etc.) to address bias incidents. The purpose to the team is to provide support and guidance to targets of bias incidents.
Ball State University aspires to be a university that attracts and retains a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. Ball State is committed to ensuring that all members of the campus community are welcome through our practice of valuing the varied experiences and worldviews of those we serve. We promote a culture of respect and civil discourse as evident in our Beneficence Pledge.
We encourage students to report incidents of bias immediately. If you witness, directly experience or find evidence of a bias incident on campus, you can use the Bias Reporting form or contact the Multicultural Center.
Expanded descriptions of the university policies addressing this commitment can be found on the following web links:
Bias Incident Reporting and Bias Response Team
https://www.bsu.edu/campuslife/multicultural-center/bias-incident-reporting
Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/inclusive-excellence/lgbtq-resources
Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policy:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/general-counsel/policies-and-legal-information/sexual-harassment
Hazing Policy:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/student-conduct/policiesandprocedures/hazing
Anti-harassment Policy:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/staffcouncil/otherlinks/antiharassment
Code of Student rights and responsibilities:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/student-conduct/policiesandprocedures
Recruitment programs
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:
Placement of Ads for faculty and staff. Every search committee for faculty and staff positions are trained on strategies and considerations to recruiting and hiring for a diverse community.
The Multicultural Ambassador Corps- The Multicultural Ambassador Corps (MAC) is a coalition within the Ball State Office of Admissions that is dedicated to the recruitment and success of diverse high school students and underrepresented populations, including first generation students and middle schoolers. The MAC coordinates visits for groups of 10 or more on select days throughout the week with our student tour guides.
On-Campus Events-Each spring, we host Explore Ball State Day as a weekday version of our Preview Day on campus. We encourage both individuals and high school groups to attend this special event. In April, we invite 21st Century Scholars to a special campus event where they can learn about university admission, speak with current students, tour campus, and hear presentations from 21st Century Scholars Indiana and our graduation and retention office.
Expanded descriptions of the university policies addressing this commitment can be found on the following web links:
Inclusive Hiring Resources:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/institutionaldiversity/resources-for-inclusive-hiring
Affinity Groups:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/inclusive-excellence/culture-and-climate/affinity-groups
Diversity Calendar:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/institutionaldiversity/diversity-calendar
The Multicultural Ambassador Corps- The Multicultural Ambassador Corps (MAC) is a coalition within the Ball State Office of Admissions that is dedicated to the recruitment and success of diverse high school students and underrepresented populations, including first generation students and middle schoolers. The MAC coordinates visits for groups of 10 or more on select days throughout the week with our student tour guides.
On-Campus Events-Each spring, we host Explore Ball State Day as a weekday version of our Preview Day on campus. We encourage both individuals and high school groups to attend this special event. In April, we invite 21st Century Scholars to a special campus event where they can learn about university admission, speak with current students, tour campus, and hear presentations from 21st Century Scholars Indiana and our graduation and retention office.
Expanded descriptions of the university policies addressing this commitment can be found on the following web links:
Inclusive Hiring Resources:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/institutionaldiversity/resources-for-inclusive-hiring
Affinity Groups:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/inclusive-excellence/culture-and-climate/affinity-groups
Diversity Calendar:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/institutionaldiversity/diversity-calendar
Mentoring, counseling and support programs
Yes
Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs designed specifically to support academic staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes
Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs to support non-academic staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes
A brief description of the institution’s programs designed specifically to support students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups:
REACH and EXCEL (Multicultural Center)
The REACH (Retain, Engage, Aspire, Connect, Help) Peer Mentoring program is designed to assist participants in successfully transitioning to life as a Ball State student. The program will help participants adjust to the academic, social, personal and professional challenges experienced by first year students. The program serves first year students with a focus on Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino/Latina students as mentees.
Program Goals:
To connect first year students to a upper-class mentor who will help guide them through the transition to life at Ball State University
To create intentional interactions with mentors, faculty, staff and alumni who encourage and support mentees through their unique cultural journey through college
To connect mentees to academic and personal resources to help them successfully navigate university systems and processes
To successfully retain and graduate mentees through four years at Ball State University
EXCEL
EXCEL is a three-day summer program geared toward first-year students of color and first-generation college students. EXCEL features workshops to expose students to common aspects of daily college life. Participants learn techniques that will help them focus on their academic and social development.
The program is an opportunity to make new friends and get firsthand experience of college life before classes start. Participants will be paired with a mentor who is a returning student with proven academic and social skills. Mentors will help guide mentees through the social and academic aspects of Ball State.
Faculty Mentoring Program (Disability Services)
Realizing that engagement with faculty is a key to student success and that the transition to college can be especially difficult for students with disabilities, Ball State faculty and staff developed the Faculty Mentorship Program (FMP) for first semester freshmen with disabilities.
The goal of the FMP is to enhance the learning experience for students with disabilities by assigning faculty mentors to each student participating in the program. These faculty mentors meet with students on a regular basis and assist students in dealing with the complexities of the academic experience at the university.
MOSAIC is a social justice peer education program whose mission is to engage undergraduate students in open dialogues focused on diversity and social justice topics to promote awareness, change, and inter-group understanding.
It is our goal to: Engage students in reflective, interactive, and informative activities related to social justice topics in a safe and inclusive environment. Challenge students to think critically about their experiences and social issues within the world. Help students work towards enhancing their multicultural identities and appreciating cultural differences. Lead students in discovering ways to embrace differences to build an inclusive world and community at Ball State
Work with a Peer Advocate Leader-Peer Advocate Leaders (PALs) are student staff members committed to supporting undergraduate students at Ball State University in discovering ways to embrace diversity, build inclusive communities, and become social change agents. PALs are available to facilitate workshops for student organizations and undergraduate courses on campus, as well as consult with student leaders about organizational issues related to diversity and social justice.
i. Workshops
ii. Activism: A Visionary for Change
iii. Cycle of Liberation
iv. Cycle of Socialization
v. Disability Awareness: Common Attitudes and Feelings Toward Those with Disabilities
vi. Diversity in Leadership: So What? Now What? Then What?
vii. Exploring Social Justice & Oppression
viii. Identity: Knowing and Owning Who You Are
ix. Media and Minoritized Populations
x. Realities of Human Trafficking
xi. Role of Men in Today’s Society
xii. Social Media: Activism and Slactivism
xiii. Trans: What Does This Mean?
xiv. Who Are You, Really?
Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation- a program to improve the graduation rates of students in science, technology, engineering, and math fields and particularly to improve the number of degrees awarded to ethnic minority students.
This one-on-one involvement with faculty members gives students a sense of belonging to the university community and a better understanding of the academic expectations.
Specifically, FMP seeks to do four things for students involved in the program:
personalize the university experience for students with disabilities assist students in understanding and meeting the academic challenges and expectations of college students connect the departmental major to future occupational goals inform students about requirements of students majoring in the faculty member's department as well as student clubs, organizations, and internships available with that major.
Expanded descriptions of the university policies addressing this commitment can be found on the following web links:
Diversity Associates Program for Faculty and Staff:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/inclusive-excellence/faculty-staff/associates
Inclusive Pedagogy Seminars:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/inclusive-excellence/faculty-staff/training-development-curriculum
Inclusive Excellence Research
https://www.bsu.edu/about/inclusive-excellence/faculty-staff/training-development-curriculum
Affinity Groups
Affinity groups bring together employees with similar backgrounds (and allies) or interests and can have a powerful influence in the workplace. We have four established Affinity Groups for minority groups. The Ball Pride (LGBTQIA+) and HOLA (Hispanic, pOrtugese, and Latin American) affinity groups welcome faculty, staff, and graduate students. The Asian American and Pacific Islander Working Group and the Black Faculty Staff association welcomes both academic and non-academic employees of the institution.
https://www.bsu.edu/about/inclusive-excellence/culture-and-climate/affinity-groups
https://sites.bsu.edu/bfsa/
The REACH (Retain, Engage, Aspire, Connect, Help) Peer Mentoring program is designed to assist participants in successfully transitioning to life as a Ball State student. The program will help participants adjust to the academic, social, personal and professional challenges experienced by first year students. The program serves first year students with a focus on Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino/Latina students as mentees.
Program Goals:
To connect first year students to a upper-class mentor who will help guide them through the transition to life at Ball State University
To create intentional interactions with mentors, faculty, staff and alumni who encourage and support mentees through their unique cultural journey through college
To connect mentees to academic and personal resources to help them successfully navigate university systems and processes
To successfully retain and graduate mentees through four years at Ball State University
EXCEL
EXCEL is a three-day summer program geared toward first-year students of color and first-generation college students. EXCEL features workshops to expose students to common aspects of daily college life. Participants learn techniques that will help them focus on their academic and social development.
The program is an opportunity to make new friends and get firsthand experience of college life before classes start. Participants will be paired with a mentor who is a returning student with proven academic and social skills. Mentors will help guide mentees through the social and academic aspects of Ball State.
Faculty Mentoring Program (Disability Services)
Realizing that engagement with faculty is a key to student success and that the transition to college can be especially difficult for students with disabilities, Ball State faculty and staff developed the Faculty Mentorship Program (FMP) for first semester freshmen with disabilities.
The goal of the FMP is to enhance the learning experience for students with disabilities by assigning faculty mentors to each student participating in the program. These faculty mentors meet with students on a regular basis and assist students in dealing with the complexities of the academic experience at the university.
MOSAIC is a social justice peer education program whose mission is to engage undergraduate students in open dialogues focused on diversity and social justice topics to promote awareness, change, and inter-group understanding.
It is our goal to: Engage students in reflective, interactive, and informative activities related to social justice topics in a safe and inclusive environment. Challenge students to think critically about their experiences and social issues within the world. Help students work towards enhancing their multicultural identities and appreciating cultural differences. Lead students in discovering ways to embrace differences to build an inclusive world and community at Ball State
Work with a Peer Advocate Leader-Peer Advocate Leaders (PALs) are student staff members committed to supporting undergraduate students at Ball State University in discovering ways to embrace diversity, build inclusive communities, and become social change agents. PALs are available to facilitate workshops for student organizations and undergraduate courses on campus, as well as consult with student leaders about organizational issues related to diversity and social justice.
i. Workshops
ii. Activism: A Visionary for Change
iii. Cycle of Liberation
iv. Cycle of Socialization
v. Disability Awareness: Common Attitudes and Feelings Toward Those with Disabilities
vi. Diversity in Leadership: So What? Now What? Then What?
vii. Exploring Social Justice & Oppression
viii. Identity: Knowing and Owning Who You Are
ix. Media and Minoritized Populations
x. Realities of Human Trafficking
xi. Role of Men in Today’s Society
xii. Social Media: Activism and Slactivism
xiii. Trans: What Does This Mean?
xiv. Who Are You, Really?
Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation- a program to improve the graduation rates of students in science, technology, engineering, and math fields and particularly to improve the number of degrees awarded to ethnic minority students.
This one-on-one involvement with faculty members gives students a sense of belonging to the university community and a better understanding of the academic expectations.
Specifically, FMP seeks to do four things for students involved in the program:
personalize the university experience for students with disabilities assist students in understanding and meeting the academic challenges and expectations of college students connect the departmental major to future occupational goals inform students about requirements of students majoring in the faculty member's department as well as student clubs, organizations, and internships available with that major.
Expanded descriptions of the university policies addressing this commitment can be found on the following web links:
Diversity Associates Program for Faculty and Staff:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/inclusive-excellence/faculty-staff/associates
Inclusive Pedagogy Seminars:
https://www.bsu.edu/about/inclusive-excellence/faculty-staff/training-development-curriculum
Inclusive Excellence Research
https://www.bsu.edu/about/inclusive-excellence/faculty-staff/training-development-curriculum
Affinity Groups
Affinity groups bring together employees with similar backgrounds (and allies) or interests and can have a powerful influence in the workplace. We have four established Affinity Groups for minority groups. The Ball Pride (LGBTQIA+) and HOLA (Hispanic, pOrtugese, and Latin American) affinity groups welcome faculty, staff, and graduate students. The Asian American and Pacific Islander Working Group and the Black Faculty Staff association welcomes both academic and non-academic employees of the institution.
https://www.bsu.edu/about/inclusive-excellence/culture-and-climate/affinity-groups
https://sites.bsu.edu/bfsa/
Support for future academic staff
Yes
A brief description of the institution’s programs to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members:
The Pathways Project is a Graduate School initiative for inclusive excellence for students, faculty, and staff designed to foster equity and mentoring in graduate education at Ball State University. It prepares students for careers in the professorship as well as other industries. The Pathways Project features three distinct programs, which center and support students from marginalized backgrounds (e.g., domestic Students of Color, LGBTQIA2S+ students, students with disabilities, low-income students, student veterans, students with dependents, etc.) These are:
• The Pathways Mentoring Program - for undergraduate and graduate students interested in collaborating with a faculty/staff mentor.
• The Building Mentoring Capacities Workshop Series - for faculty and staff mentors interested in equitable mentoring practices.
• The Action Research Collective - for graduate students interested in conducting research
Ultimately, The Pathways Project aims to cultivate inclusive excellence by supporting marginalized students as they pursue and complete post-baccalaureate degrees.
The Diversity Associates Program partners faculty members with faculty mentors to develop and implement projects to achieve one of the following expected outcomes: disseminate research or creative endeavors; develop a plan and initiate inclusive pedagogy in an upcoming semester; mentor undergraduate research regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion; or develop a plan and initiate a service project.
Other student programs, mentioned in the sections above, also have mentoring programs to help students from underrepresented groups adjust to the academic, social, personal, and professional challenges faced by students through their college experience and career preparation. This includes the REACH (Retain, Engage, Aspire, Connect, Help) Peer Mentoring program; the EXCEL three-day summer program geared toward first-year students of color and first-generation college students; the Faculty Mentoring Program for students with disabilities; and the Peer Advocate Leaders (PALs) that help students embrace diversity, build inclusive communities, and become social change agents. Ball State University also has the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, a program to improve the graduation rates of students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields and particularly to improve the number of degrees awarded to ethnic minority students and the Merrell T. Marshall Memorial Scholarship which provides financial assistance to students addressing issues of diversity in their communities. For alumni and existing faculty and staff, Ball State has the Black Alumni Constituent Society that connects Black alumni across the country and supports professional networking and a collective effort to support scholarships to Black students. The university also has four established faculty, staff, and graduate student affinity groups. These include the Ball Pride (LGBTQIA+), HOLA (Hispanic, pOrtugese, and Latin American), the Asian American and Pacific Islander Working Group, and the Black Faculty Staff association.
• The Pathways Mentoring Program - for undergraduate and graduate students interested in collaborating with a faculty/staff mentor.
• The Building Mentoring Capacities Workshop Series - for faculty and staff mentors interested in equitable mentoring practices.
• The Action Research Collective - for graduate students interested in conducting research
Ultimately, The Pathways Project aims to cultivate inclusive excellence by supporting marginalized students as they pursue and complete post-baccalaureate degrees.
The Diversity Associates Program partners faculty members with faculty mentors to develop and implement projects to achieve one of the following expected outcomes: disseminate research or creative endeavors; develop a plan and initiate inclusive pedagogy in an upcoming semester; mentor undergraduate research regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion; or develop a plan and initiate a service project.
Other student programs, mentioned in the sections above, also have mentoring programs to help students from underrepresented groups adjust to the academic, social, personal, and professional challenges faced by students through their college experience and career preparation. This includes the REACH (Retain, Engage, Aspire, Connect, Help) Peer Mentoring program; the EXCEL three-day summer program geared toward first-year students of color and first-generation college students; the Faculty Mentoring Program for students with disabilities; and the Peer Advocate Leaders (PALs) that help students embrace diversity, build inclusive communities, and become social change agents. Ball State University also has the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, a program to improve the graduation rates of students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields and particularly to improve the number of degrees awarded to ethnic minority students and the Merrell T. Marshall Memorial Scholarship which provides financial assistance to students addressing issues of diversity in their communities. For alumni and existing faculty and staff, Ball State has the Black Alumni Constituent Society that connects Black alumni across the country and supports professional networking and a collective effort to support scholarships to Black students. The university also has four established faculty, staff, and graduate student affinity groups. These include the Ball Pride (LGBTQIA+), HOLA (Hispanic, pOrtugese, and Latin American), the Asian American and Pacific Islander Working Group, and the Black Faculty Staff association.
Optional Fields
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:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://www.bsu.edu/campuslife/student-life/programs-services/summer-bridge/reach-mentor-program
https://www.bsu.edu/campuslife/multicultural-center/programs-and-services
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/disability-services/services-resources/students/fmp
Website link to Gender Inclusive Housing Information:
https://www.bsu.edu/campuslife/housing/services/gender-inclusive-housing
Link to map of All Gender Bathrooms
https://www.bsu.edu/-/media/www/departmentalcontent/diversity/pdfs/ball%20state%20all%20gender%20restroom%20map.pdf?la=en&hash=5DEDFAAFADC34406AEAB9EE130EB51CD3DB4D1EB
https://www.bsu.edu/campuslife/multicultural-center/programs-and-services
https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/disability-services/services-resources/students/fmp
Website link to Gender Inclusive Housing Information:
https://www.bsu.edu/campuslife/housing/services/gender-inclusive-housing
Link to map of All Gender Bathrooms
https://www.bsu.edu/-/media/www/departmentalcontent/diversity/pdfs/ball%20state%20all%20gender%20restroom%20map.pdf?la=en&hash=5DEDFAAFADC34406AEAB9EE130EB51CD3DB4D1EB
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.