Goucher College
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

The Diversity Standing Committee promotes and monitors the development and timely implementation of tangible institutional diversity goals to ensure that the college's mission of diversity is being upheld. The committee performs reviews, make recommendations, and otherwise seeks to ensure the implementation of measurable diversity goals within the institution, as well as establish mechanisms for monitoring progress toward these goals. The committee encourages each division to set reasonable benchmarks and timelines for articulating and accomplishing tangible diversity plans. The committee holds each division responsible for establishing, managing, and making progress toward these diversity goals, and it holds senior management accountable for implementing the diversity goals set forth in their respective divisions. Finally, as a means of keeping the campus community informed of the college's progress toward overall diversity goals, the Diversity Standing Committee issues an annual report to the president, faculty, students, and staff.

There is a strong emphasis on identity and diversity within the college’s first-year experience seminar, Connections.Outside consultants conduct a series of trainings for the Peer Facilitators of this program. These Peer Facilitators then lead their small groups of first-year students through a group activity (called “The Diversity Circle” or the “Privilege Walk”), which is meant to expose them to the differences within their group and begin to build some understanding of the role oppression and privilege may play in their lives. All first-year students also watch a documentary titled "Color Blind: Rethinking Race" and participate in follow-up discussions that help them think about structural inequalities that people of color experience in present-day society.