Baylor University
PA-5: Assessing Diversity and Equity

There are related conversations and some planning has occurred, but no formal actions at this point.

In 2010 and 2011 New Student Experiences were studied. The goal of the New Student Experience is help all students connect to Baylor, develop autonomy, succeed academically, engage in spiritual formation, develop personal and professional goals, and understand Baylor's mission and learning outcomes. Past reports on the New Student Experience indicated most students were meeting these outcomes, but we have yet to include all students in meeting the outcomes. The 2010 report demonstrated vulnerable populations, such as minority and students from low-socioeconomic status, may be disproportionately represented in the group of students who did not achieve the outcomes of the New Student Experience programs. To address this discrepancy, data from the 2011 cohort of entering students was analyzed in a similar manner to 2010 study with the express intent of revealing longitudinal patterns in the data. Key findings: Many of the findings from the 2010 report were also apparent in the 2011 data, such as: participants in the New Student Experience survey and the National Survey of Student Engagement differ from non-participants on key variables like GPA and retention, vulnerable populations on campus struggle disproportionately, the findings from the first year experience at Baylor mirror the findings in the literature of several disciplines, including education, sociology, and psychology, and university students’ self-appraisal and the achievement measures collected by the university appear disconnected. In addition, the university’s new strategic plan, Pro Futuris, calls for transformative experiences for all students. Programmatic Recommendations; 1) Implement opportunities for student, staff, and faculty to enhance their cross-cultural competencies to help create a campus environment that is welcoming to all students. 2) Evaluate the effectiveness of the transfer living-learning center. 3) To enhance opportunities for student-faculty interactions, consider requiring all first-year students to take an academic first-year seminar that is limited to 20 students. Further Research: 1) A comprehensive campus climate study to identify specific recommendations for addressing the apparent disparity in how identity intersects with student experiences at Baylor University. 2) A comprehensive study on the transfer student experience to identify the structures and programs in place that facilitate or impede success. 3) Examine additional cohorts using the same or similar methodology 4) Identify longitudinal patterns in student success by following a single cohort through graduation.

Regular reviews/informal assessments of employee data diversity has created an awareness and indicate the need to be intentional. As a result, the university has formed committees and task forces to review and examine ways to proactively insure diversity. Intentional recruiting efforts are attempted to create more diverse candidate pools of qualified candidates. Baylor University is committed to maintaining a diverse faculty and staff, creating a community of fairness and respect, ensuring that resources are accessible, advancing the university's affirmative action goals, and complying with related laws and guidelines. Diversity at Baylor is an essential component of academic excellence. A range of information, consultation, and training is provided to the Baylor community on issues related to workforce diversity and inclusion. Baylor recognizes that having a diverse and inclusive community is an ongoing process, and we continually seek ways to create and maintain such an environment. As we enhance our goals of scholarship and service, we have committed to create an environment in which differences are both welcomed and appreciated. Baylor offers a number of dynamic and interactive training seminars designed to promote general cultural awareness and management of a diverse workforce. Baylor University endeavors to provide equal opportunity for employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status. Baylor University has developed a comprehensive Affirmative Action Program (AAP) for women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. The AAP provides the principles and policies that commit the university to equal employment opportunity and documents the employment practices and procedures for administration of the AAP. The following departments/committees/teams are involved in aspects of employee diversity and equity: Campus Diversity Committee, Cultural Awareness Work Team, Human Resources, Office of Access and Learning Accommodation, Multicultural Affairs Office, and the President’s Diversity Council. The Baylor family extends into not only the surrounding neighborhoods, but throughout the entire community. In a dynamic and vibrant partnership, Baylor, Waco, and the Central Texas communities work together to serve families. Community partnerships include, but are not limited to Baylor/Waco Foundation and GEAR UP Texas. Many policies, too numerous to mention, address or deal with the intentions of the university to be inclusive and fair.