Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.90
Liaison Kathleen Crawford
Submission Date July 23, 2020

STARS v2.2

Florida Gulf Coast University
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.25 / 3.00 Precious Gunter
Director of OIEC & Title IX Coord
Office of Institutional Equity & Compliance
"---" 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:
Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Statement
Florida Gulf Coast University (University) is committed to ensuring equity and fairness for all
University employees, students, visitors, vendors, contractors, and other third parties. Our
commitment to these principles is essential to fostering a campus community that values
diversity and inclusion. As such, the University does not discriminate on the basis ofrace, color,
national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, marital status,
sexual orientation, veteran status, or genetic predisposition with regard to admissions,
employment, programs, or other activities operated by the University. Sexual harassment and
sexual assault are forms of sex discrimination. This prohibition extends to enforcement ofTitle
IX ofthe Education Amendments of 1972 and the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act.
The University's policies cover access and equity in the administration of education, programs,
services, and activities throughout all divisions, departments, and units ofthe University.
Questions regarding the University's non-discrimination statement or compliance with the laws
applicable thereto should be directed to the person and office identified below.
Precious G. Gunter
Director and Title IX Coordinator, Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance
10501 FGCU Boulevard South
Fort Myers, Florida 33965-6565
(239)745-4366
Or TTY:. 711
Email: pgunter@fgcu.edu

https://www.fgcu.edu/equity/documentsandreports/files/Updated_Non_Discrimination_Stmt.pdf

http://www.fgcu.edu/generalcounsel/files/policies/Policy1_006_NonDiscAntiHaraSexualMisc_12192016_ada.pdf

http://www.fgcu.edu/generalcounsel/files/regulations/FGCU_PR_1_003_Non-DiscAntiHarr_Sexual_060716_ada.pdf

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:
However, the OIEC has a link to report bias incidents and information on bias, hate crimes, etc. on their website. A spreadsheet is kept of bias/discrimination incidences and outcomes that happen on campus. There has been conversation about starting a bias incident response team, it is still currently in the works.

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:
STUDENTS
College Reach Out Program (CROP) is a State of Florida grant-funded program designed to prepare middle and high school students to successfully pursue and complete a post-secondary education. The program targets future first-generation college students currently in grades 6 through 12. The program also motivates students to develop basic learning skills, strengthen parent and student understanding of the benefits of postsecondary education, and foster personal and career development through supplemental instruction. http://studentservices.fgcu.edu/CROP/index.html
Public Schools Enrichment Partnership/Scholars Program was founded in 1989 by former Fort Myers High School junior, Christian Duffus, as a way to promote and reward academic achievement among minority students. Scholars Program has expanded to embrace minority and “at-risk” students at elementary, middle, and high school levels. Membership is open to all students who embrace the Scholars Program philosophy and ideas of academic excellence, leadership, service, and citizenship. https://www.fgcu.edu/trio/scholarsprogram/#HistoryoftheProgram
FACULTY AND STAFF
FGCU's Human Resources department has invested in Localjobnetwork.com, a web-based service that will aid the University with its goal of increasing diversity in applicant pools while also ensuring compliance with applicable federal regulations. The service cross-posts FGCU postings to local employment websites, local diversity websites, and the state job bank. It also aids the University’s diversity recruiting by featuring all postings on websites that have accessibility features to ensure job seekers with a disability can easily navigate and search for FGCU jobs. Additionally, FGCU's Community and Diversity Outreach program mails out current job postings daily to both active and passive job seekers via the following community partners:
• Minorities
• Women
• People with disabilities
• Veterans
• Diversity organizations
• Universities and colleges
• Historically black colleges and universities
• State workforce agencies
• Construction/skilled trades
• Professional/technical groups
• Business professionals

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?:
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:
STUDENTS
Florida Gulf Coast University was awarded two (2) five-year TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grants on September 1, 2015. Students Support Services programs at FGCU are funded annually through the U.S. Department of Education. Funding for 2015-2020 for SSS Classic is $1,237,920 and for SSS STEM is $1,065,900. The goals of the SSS Grants are to provide services and support that will increase retention and graduation rates among its participants. The two grants strive to provide opportunities for academic development, assistance with basic college requirements, and motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education.
SSS participants must meet eligibility criteria in order to qualify for the program. The programs are designed to address the academic and social needs of eligible students enrolled at FGCU. All of the active students are provided with opportunities for academic advising, tutoring and coaching, and cultural events. The programs are very competitive with a limited number of openings each year to maintain 165 participants in the Classic program and 124 participants in the STEM program. (http://studentservices.fgcu.edu/SSS/SSS-FGCU.html)
The Office of Multicultural and Leadership Development (MLD) cultivates a campus-wide community which celebrates diversity, empowers students to grow beyond their personal barriers, strengthens students’ understanding of diversity and social responsibility, and develops students’ leadership skills. The MLD promotes academic, leadership and personal growth. They offer a number of events, student summits, and leadership development opportunities open to all students so that they can increase their capacities to become knowledgeable leaders who contribute to the ever changing global society. (https://www.fgcu.edu/studentlife/mld/)
FACULTY AND STAFF
In Spring of 2019 the Diversity & Inclusion Employee Mentoring Subcommittee introduced a mentoring program for Faculty and Staff to encourage networking and professional development within the University. The program focuses on pairing interested employees (faculty and staff, including OPS/Adjuncts) with other employees for a professional mentoring relationship. Employees may seek a mentor or mentee to learn about a different function or need on-campus, discuss professional development and advancement goals, connect with offices or employees that they may admire but not work closely with, or for a variety of other reasons.

While not targeted specifically at underrepresented groups, all employees may speak with counselors through FGCU's Employee Assistance Program (http://www.fgcu.edu/HR/eap_newsletters.html) and the Community Counseling Center (https://www.fgcu.edu/mariebcollege/counseling/communitycounseling/).

FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS
The Black Faculty and Staff Association(BFSA) is a newly-formed association open to all faculty and staff at Florida Gulf Coast University. The BFSA is an employee resource group committed to developing a community and support network that nurtures the advancement of Black faculty and staff as a visible and vibrant aspect of FGCU’s quest for inclusive excellence in fair and equitable treatment of all.

• The purpose of the BFSA shall be to facilitate and influence educational, administrative, and personnel policies in ways that support the pursuit of the University’s diversity and inclusion objectives.

• The BFSA seeks to enhance the professional development of Black Faculty and Staff at FGCU to amplify cultural competency across campus to enhance and maintain a diverse and inclusive environment for learning, teaching, research, and service at the Florida Gulf Coast University.

• The BFSA is committed to actively working to improve the Black experience of students, faculty, and staff here at FGCU.

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:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Resource Guide for Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive Students
https://www.fgcu.edu/studentlife/healthandsafety/caps/files/trans_resources_chart1.pdf

Information to support underrepresented groups is provided on multiple websites throughout the University. Below are a few:

• Student Support Services - https://www.fgcu.edu/trio/studentsupportservices/
• Multicultural and Leadership Development Center - https://www.fgcu.edu/studentlife/mld/
• Community Outreach - https://www.fgcu.edu/communityoutreach/

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.