Florida Gulf Coast University
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

UNIVERSITY DIVERSITY COUNCIL

Florida Gulf Coast University President, Dr. Wilson G. Bradshaw, has charged the Office of Equity and Diversity with structuring a response that will facilitate the accomplishment of the University’s diversity goals.

The first step has been the formation of a University Diversity Council, comprised of a representative number of diverse constituents among faculty, staff, students and members of the Southwest Florida community. The Diversity Council will serve as an advisory body to the Office of Equity and Diversity on all matters of diversity and inclusion. It will also serve as the institution’s primary forum to promote open discussion on important issues related to campus and community diversity.
The charge to the Council is to provide advice and counsel to the Office of Equity and Diversity on enhancing the University’s diversity agenda;

Promote Florida Gulf Coast University as an outstanding educational institution and a valuable community resource;

Recommend strategic policies, practices and processes in areas of valuing diversity, achieving diversity and managing diversity effectively and which will improve the campus culture and climate for diversity;

Facilitate connections among campus-based diversity programs and activities;

The Office of Equity and Diversity, which is a unit of the Office of the President, supports FGCU’s vision, mission and strategic plan through the following functions:
Analysis and Reporting
Develops and distributes the University’s Affirmative Action Plan (AAP), the Florida Equity Report, and periodic updates regarding diversity and inclusion.

Awareness and Training
Conducts/facilitates internal/external training and awareness sessions, seminars, roundtable discussions, tours, conferences and forums that impact equity, compliance and diversity; Ensures posting/distribution of non-discrimination statement and related information.

Committee Management
Oversees functions of the following committees:
-Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Advisory Committee
-EEO-Diversity Advisory Committee
- Gender Equity-Title IX Advisory Committee
- Grant-in-Aid Educational Leave Advisory Committee
-Leadership Diversity Advisory Committee.
-Complaint Handling and Conflict Resolution
-Handles internal/external and formal/informal discrimination complaints, and other complaints forwarded by the University President, Provost and Vice Presidents.
-Diversity-Inclusion Recruitment
-Enhances the University’s ability to attract, develop and retain diverse and key faculty and staff throughout all levels of the University; supports and assists with developing strategic approaches for student, and supplier, diversity.
-Also by establishing a University Council to constitute a diversity leadership team to advise the Office of Equity and Diversity on all matters of diversity and inclusion throughout the academic year:
- Enhance our diversity recruitment process in our efforts to create and maintain a diverse campus community that welcomes students, faculty and staff on the basis of their individuality
- Create and maintain a campus culture in which equity, diversity and inclusion are recognized, valued and demonstrated
- Ensure that each member of the University community participates and advances in their chosen field of endeavor in an environment free from any form of illegal discrimination, discriminatory harassment or sexual harassment
- Enhance a student’s diversity skills and help them develop additional intercultural knowledge, skills and abilities, that will prepare them for a more global future
- Support the University’s diversity vision, mission , goals and strategies

Equal Employment Opportunity Certifications For Grants
-Completes compliance and equal opportunity certification requests for grant applications.
-Employment Opportunity Impact Statements
-Verifies the extent of diversity and inclusion and related impact for new degree programs, terminations of degree programs, limited access status for undergraduate degree programs, institutional reorganization/restructuring; establishment of a new, permanent location for instruction; and recommending university policy changes or development concerning admissions, continuation, and graduation.
-Liaison With Compliance Agencies for Audits/Surveys
-Facilitates/coordinates audit processes conducted by regulatory agencies responsible for discrimination compliance matters.
-Outreach
-Conveys the University’s message throughout the Southwest Florida community to enhance diversity and inclusion among students, faculty, staff, vendors, community members and other constituency groups.
-Policy Analysis and Development
-Monitors, evaluates, and reviews for relevancy, completeness, and implementation, policies, processes and procedures regarding equity and compliance and employment-related actions; recommends changes as required.
-Waivers of Advertisement
-Authorizes waivers that meet a compelling interest or need of the University when filling job vacancies and making multiple-year faculty appointments.

http://www.fgcu.edu/EquityandDiversity/role_staff.html
http://www.fgcu.edu/EquityandDiversity/

The Director of the Office of Equity and Diversity regularly presents diversity workshops and seminars on and off campus. Such presentations focus on the rapidly changing rapidly changing demographic profile of the various nations of the world and what is necessary for Americans to become and remain competitive in such an environment.

Faculty members also teach students and focus on cultural competence in the 21st century.

Meetings are also held and diversity presentations made to faculty and staff search committees to stress the importance of diversity in the academic and social development of students.

A students learning outcomes are enhanced when they are exposed and involved in a diverse learning environment.