Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 73.23
Liaison Heather Albert-Knopp
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2022

STARS v2.2

College of the Atlantic
IN-47: Innovation A

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 0.50 Rob Levin
Director of Communications
Communications
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Strategic Plan Task Force

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:

The COA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan Task Force was convened in the Fall of 2019 by COA President Darron Collins with the charge to develop a comprehensive, multi-year strategic plan for diversity, equity, and inclusion at COA. Their task was to lay out a series of concrete actions that will help COA more effectively meet their mission through inclusive and equitable engagement with various forms of diversity within and beyond our community, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, educational background, gender, ability, sexuality, national origin, citizenship, and religion.

Phase one of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan for College of the Atlantic was approved by COA's All College Meeting in spring 2021 and endorsed unanimously by the college’s Board of Trustees at its annual meeting in summer 2021. The plan includes the following strategic goals and priorities:
- Build capacity for DEI work
- Improve climate and community accountability
- Achieve greater transparency and intentionality in institutional decision-making and information sharing
- Improve accessibility
- Widen curriculum and expand inclusive pedagogy
- Increase diversity of faculty, staff, and students
- Reckon with our history and traditions

Work continued in summer 2021 with the forming of the DEI Oversight, Accountability, and Resource Team (OAR) to oversee and facilitate the work specified in the DEI plan. The team consists of approximately seven students, four staff, and three faculty. Members received training in skills (such as facilitation techniques, conflict resolution, listening and deep canvassing skills, etc) and content (disability, unconscious bias, structural racism, gender violence, etc) that are pertinent to their work.

OAR members monitor and report, serve as a resource, research, communicate and clarify for the community, and work with staff and faculty to share information about DEI initiatives with outside audiences, among other things. The OAR is tasked with develop a Phase II strategic DEI plan by spring 2022 that includes a more detailed and longer-term action plan and a detailed budget with fundraising goals.


A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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The website URL where information about the innovation is available :
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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