Florida State University
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Florida State University recognizes that every competitive advantage begins with people. By valuing, celebrating, and leveraging the differences and similarities of FSU students, faculty and staff, the university inspires an environment of innovation and passion - one that enables the creation of a teaching, research and service environment that better reflects the needs of FSU students, faculty, staff, customers, constituents, communities and other key stakeholders.
Diversity and Inclusion have long been a part of the operating philosophy at the University. In the context of the workplace, valuing diversity means creating a workplace that respects and includes differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals with many types of differences can make, and creates a work environment that maximizes the potential of all employees. As a concept, it focuses on a broader set of qualities than race and gender. Inclusion is a practice of ensuring that people in an organization feel they belong, are engaged and are connected through their work to the goals and objectives of the organization.
Now, FSU is uniting efforts to move Diversity and Inclusion initiatives even more to the forefront of the University's agenda to deliver on the vision to become the university and workplace of choice. Educating employees on how to work effectively in a diverse environment helps the University prevent discrimination and promote inclusiveness. There is evidence that effectively managing a diverse work force can contribute to increased faculty, staff and student retention, and productivity. It can enhance the organization's responsiveness to an increasingly diverse world of customers, improve relations with the surrounding communities, increase the organization's ability to cope with change, and expand the creativity of the organization. All of the above will move FSU’s performance, innovations, and contributions to the next level.
The FSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion is responsible for advancing and monitoring the University's Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Diversity and Inclusion policies, procedures, programs and initiatives by: Working to maintain an environment free from discrimination and harassment and ensuring compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws; Promoting a culturally diverse and inclusive work and educational environment where faculty and staff are treated fairly, recognized for their individuality and promoted for their performance; Developing policies and procedures to enhance equity for all employees; Communicating the University's commitment through training, education and program development. HR administers the Bridging Cultures for Service Excellence for employees to gain insight and sensitivity to providing customer service in an environment as culturally diverse as FSU, co-sponsors the Diversity & Inclusion Certificate, maintains a Diversity and Inclusion Council, Steering Committee, and promotes diversity and inclusion across the university.
http://hr.fsu.edu/?page=diversity/diversity_about_us

Diversity & Inclusion Certificate Series- Faculty, Staff
The Diversity & Inclusion Council introduced the Florida State University Diversity & Inclusion Certificate. The certificate creates an opportunity for faculty and staff to explore strategic areas around diversity and to learn more about the ways in which they can assist in creating a welcoming and inclusive campus for all. The Diversity & Inclusion Certificate is a partnership between the Center for Leadership & Social Change, Human Resources, and other diversity-related offices and programs across the university. The course includes three core sessions and three elective sessions based on the interest of those involved. Participants then create a theory to action project where they develop and implement a diversity and/or inclusion plan or initiative in their office.
https://thecenter.fsu.edu/diversity/diversity-inclusion-certificate

HR Training and Organizational Development- staff, faculty
Human Resources at FSU maintains a robust course catalog of free classes for all employees to further their professional development. One section, Diversity and Inclusion Training, includes courses such as: Bridging Cultures I-IV, Cross Generational Strategies, Prejudice Reduction Workshop, Embracing Diversity, as well as Cultural Competencies and Higher Education.
Allies & Safe Zones-Faculty, Staff, Students
Allies & Safe Zones workshops are presented as community-based, interactive sessions. The program is divided by content level and address areas including allyship, LGBTQ+ identities and issues, personal identity development, and classes to become a co-facilitator for the Allies & Safe Zones program.
http://sga.fsu.edu/safe_zone-program-info.shtml

Center for Global Engagement-Faculty, Staff, Students
The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) offers trainings and workshops in Intercultural Communication (ICC) to any student group, center, or department across campus as well as in the Tallahassee community. This interactive training is custom-designed to meet the diverse needs of each group, including; increasing understanding and awareness among different cultures, improving and applying intercultural communication skills, and integrating global learning within a local context.

Through the HR department, The Center for Global Engagement administers Bridging Cultures for Service Excellence, for employees to gain insight and sensitivity to providing customer service in an environment as culturally diverse as FSU. Additionally, CGE has developed a Global Partner Certificate program for staff and a number of cross-cultural activities and programs open to any employee on campus.
Additional programs include: Global Cafe; International Coffee Hour; Intercultural Program Series; International Bazaar.
https://cge.fsu.edu/

Leadership Studies Certificate- Students
The Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies is an 18-credit, interdisciplinary, multidimensional, and experiential program open to all Florida State undergraduate students. The certificate program prepares students for leadership in multiple contexts and uses practical experience and service-learning projects to frame leadership learning within the context of social change. Upon completion, the Leadership Certificate appears on students’ academic transcripts.
https://thecenter.fsu.edu/llrc/leadership-studies-certificate

Additional diversity initiatives include:
Center for Leadership & Social Change programming: CommUNITY Dialogue Series; Community Outreach Program; Leadership through Intergroup Dialogue; Multicultural Leadership Summit; PeaceJam Southeast; Social Justice Ally Training; Social Justice Living Learning Community; With Words; Women's Leadership Institute
https://thecenter.fsu.edu/

Student Government Association: Asian American Student Union; Black Student Union; Hispanic/Latino Student Union; Pride Student Union; Veterans Student Union; Women's Student Union; Allies & Safe Zones
http://sga.fsu.edu/

As mandated by Florida, all FSU students must take at least six semester hours of classes within humanities and cultural practice/ethics. All students are also required to take two diversity related courses to satisfy the diversity requirement.

During April 1, 2017-June 30, 2018, there were 58 classes addressing cultural competence available for free to FSU students, staff, and faculty. From these classes over 750 individuals attended the trainings.

https://registrar.fsu.edu/archive/bulletin/undergraduate/2018_gen_bulletin.pdf