Florida International University
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

University Access and Equity Committee Florida International University aims to provide every member of its community with equal access to all its programs. The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Diversity assists with achieving this goal by coordinating the University Access and Equity Committee (A&E). Committee members are appointed by the president and are charged with monitoring the implementation of the University’s Affirmative Action Plan as well as making insightful recommendations for improvement. The University Access and Equity Committee is compromised of FIU faculty, administrators, and staff from the Modesto A. Maidique, Biscayne Bay, and Pines Center campuses. Its members are men and women, some of whom may have a disability, who reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the University community. Representatives from Academic Affairs, Human Resources, and Planning and Institutional Effectiveness serve as ex-officio members of the committee. Additionally, some subcommittees include representation of administrators, students, and faculty who, while not official members of the Committee, assist in their areas of interest and expertise. The standing subcommittees include: - Access-Ability Committee - Diversity Committee - Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allies Sub-committee (GLBTA) - Quality of Life & Work - Women and Minorities Initiatives - Title IX Compliance Committee

Equal Opportunity Programs and Diversity provide Diversity trainings that are open to the university community. The trainings deal with people’s ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures. The components are: (a) awareness of one's own cultural worldview, (b) attitude towards cultural differences, and (c) knowledge of different cultural practices and worldviews. Cultural competence and multicultural activities are made available to the university community, including students through the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Diversity and the Office of Multicultural Affairs (i.e. quarterly Difficult Dialogues, Diversity Week activities, LGBTQA Initiatives, Stonewall Pride Alliance, Safe Zone Training, FIU Pronoun Campaign. Lavender Graduation & Leadership Recognition Dinner, Multi-Faith Council) FIU is a Hispanic serving institution. Each year the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a month-long celebration inspired by King’s life and work. The 25th annual celebration includes among other events the MLK Day of Service. Approximately 700 students volunteer at 25 service sites located in neighborhoods very different from their own. FIU students, faculty, and staff also participate in the MLK Parade in Liberty City.