| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 52.02 |
| Liaison | Christine Bruckner |
| Submission Date | Jan. 24, 2025 |
Illinois State University
PA-6: Institutional Climate
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.50 / 3.00 |
Christine
Bruckner Assistant Director Office of Sustainability |
6.1 Support for students from underrepresented groups
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for students with disabilities:
Student Access and Accommodation Services is the designated office at Illinois State that accommodates and supports students with disabilities as well as other medical/mental heath conditions, pregnancy, temporary conditions, and religious accommodations. The office provides confidential support to students to ensure equal opportunity for participation in all courses, programs, and activities offered by the institution. More information about the office and its services can be found on its website: https://studentaccess.illinoisstate.edu/
The Student Disability Network also serves as a student organziation to enhance disability advocacy and encourage disability awareness. The organization is a place for students with disabilities to come together and support one another.
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of students that identify as members of marginalized racial, ethnic, and/or Indigenous groups?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for students that identify as members of marginalized racial, ethnic, and/or Indigenous groups:
Multicultural Center centers historically marginalized/minoritized communities while amplifying their voices and experiences; facilitates critical programs, services, and scholarship that promotes anti-racism, equity, and justice to contribute to ISU's core values; and fosters an affirming campus environment where students can flourish in their intersecting identities.
The Center is the home to five cultural organizations: Black Student Union, TRIBE, Association of Latin American Students, Asian Pacific American Coalition, and Pride. These organizations serve as umbrella organizations for their identity communities in order to provide spaces of solidarity and belonging. The organizations receive leadership development, advocacy support, and antiracism training.
https://multiculturalcenter.illinoisstate.edu/communities/
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of LGBTQ+ students?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for LGBTQ+ students:
Pride is a student group on campus which strives to provide a safe social and educational atmosphere for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people of Illinois State University. https://redbirdlife.illinoisstate.edu/organization/pride
Additionally, the Queer Coalition is an affinity group for LGBTQ2IA+ graduate students as well as faculty and staff. https://queercoalition.illinoisstate.edu/
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of low-income and/or first-generation students?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for low-income and/or first-generation students:
https://universitycollege.illinoisstate.edu/trio/
Illinois State’s TRIO/SSS program recognizes the wealth that first-generation students bring to the campus community and walks with them as they use their social and cultural capital to achieve personal and academic success.
We’re open to underrepresented students, including:
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First-generation.
This means neither of your parents graduated from a four-year school.
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Financial status.
We welcome those who have a demonstrated financial need according to federal guidelines.
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Persons with a disability.
Our programs and services are designed to help those with a documented disability.
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced, and/or undocumented students?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced, and/or undocumented students:
The University provides several resources for displaced and/or undocumented students:
- Committee Assisting Undocumented Student Achievement (CAUSA) is a student, faculty, and staff organization that seeks to support and promote awareness about undocumented students on campus. https://latinostudies.illinoisstate.edu/student-life/causa/
- The Office of Admissions provides specific guidance and resources to undocumented students: https://illinoisstate.edu/admissions/undocumented/
- The Multicultural Center also provides a list of resources: https://multiculturalcenter.illinoisstate.edu/education/undocumented/
- A specific staff member, referred to as the Undocumented and DACA Liaison, is available to support Undocumented students. Additionally, specific individuals from Financial Aid and Student Health Services are identified for undocumented students to receive support.
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of students from additional underrepresented groups?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for students from additional underrepresented groups:
Neurodivergent students are also supported at ISU. Neurodivergence including ADHD, learning disabilities/dyslexia, autism, neurological and mental health conditions play a part in identity and intersectionality. Specific resources are available through Student Access and Accomodation Services. https://studentaccess.illinoisstate.edu/neurodiversity/
The Neurodivergent Student Society is a student group that creates community and support for students who are neurodivergent. https://redbirdlife.illinoisstate.edu/organization/adhdsupport
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
6.2 Support for employees from underrepresented groups
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for employees with disabilities:
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of employees that identify as members of marginalized racial, ethnic, and/or Indigenous groups?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for employees that identify as members of marginalized racial, ethnic, and/or Indigenous groups:
An affinity group is a voluntary association of faculty and staff linked by a common purpose, mission, background, activity, or interest that provides an avenue for support, advocacy, and communication throughout the University as well as a connection to the local community.
- Asia Connect - AsiaConnect is an association of Illinois State University faculty and staff and Bloomington-Normal community members who work together in the interest of the Asian community.
- Association of Black Academic Employees (ABAE) - The Association of Black Academic Employees (ABAE) is a medium through which Black employees at Illinois State University participate in shared governance. The Association’s purpose is to serve in an advisory capacity to University administrators, faculty, staff, and students regarding the general welfare of all Black employees at Illinois State University.
- Organization of Latino/a Employees (OLE) - The Organization of Latino Employees provides a sense of community and acts as an advocate for the needs of Latino/Hispanic individual and groups on-campus and creates opportunities for social and professional networking for individuals interested in advancing the interests of Latinos/Hispanics on-campus and in the community.
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of LGBTQ+ employees?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s support for LGBTQ+ employees:
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Queer Coalition
Queer Coalition is an Affinity Group at Illinois State University with the purpose of promoting the diverse cultures of the LGBTQ2IA+ community at ISU and in the local area, as well as representing the interests, needs, and concerns of LGBTQ2IA+ faculty, staff, and students. They strive to encourage communication, engagement and support among this community and develop cooperative relationships with the local larger community in several ways. They also foreground the fact that all forms of oppression are interconnected by doing so work toward racial justice.
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Safe(ish) Series
The Safe(ish) series, formally known as Safe Zone, explores LGBTQ+ identity and provide sustainable and inclusive strategies that acknowledge, affirm, and advocate for gender expansive and LGBTQ+ identities. The two-hour session provides an opportunity for those seeking understanding and deeper commitments around disrupting oppression for the community. All Illinois State University students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend.
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Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of employees from additional underrepresented groups?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for employees from additional underrepresented groups:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
6.3 Institutional climate assessment
Description of the methodology used to assess institutional climate:
Does the institution publish the results of its institutional climate assessments?:
Published results of the institution’s most recently finalized institutional climate assessment:
Online resource where the results of the institution’s institutional climate assessments are publicly available:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
Optional documentation
Additional documentation for this credit:
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.