Lawrence University
PA-5: Diversity and Equity Coordination

We have a Chief Diversity Officer (cabinet-level appointee), a Diversity Center and two committees on campus tasked with diversity and equity.

The student Committee on Diversity Affairs (CODA) promotes understanding and awareness of diversity, including but not limited to diversity of culture, ethnicity, gender, race, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. CODA helps identify and promote collaborative diversity-oriented programming efforts throughout the Lawrence University community. This council is composed of the Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs, multicultural student group leaders, faculty/staff advisors, and other interested students.


The President's Committee on Multicultural Affairs' purpose is to promote a greater cultural and ethnic diversity in the Lawrence community. In order to accomplish this goal, the committee aims to create a climate conducive to attracting and retaining minority students, faculty, and staff, with numerous curricular and extracurricular initiatives aimed at increasing multicultural awareness and appreciation. The committee consists of two faculty members, the Provost and Dean of the Faculty, the Dean of Student Academic Services, one representative from the Vice President for Enrollment Management’s Office, one representative from the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students’ Office, and two student representatives from the LUCC Committee on Multicultural Affairs.

These trainings take many forms. The concepts are introduced during orientation of faculty, staff and students. There is a monthly cultural competency lecture series, inclusive pedagogy workshops open to faculty and staff, various departmental speakers and presentations, webinars, staff professional development days and an annual diversity planning retreat. Then there are a number of trainings specific to the ‘work’ of the group requesting it such as student government, campus safety, communications, etc. The diversity and inclusion annual report provides more examples of these types of training: https://www.lawrence.edu/mw/2017-18%20Annual%20Report

Events that CODA sponsors- -Sankofa Conversations: • Tools for Resistance • Manifestations of Police Brutality • Respectability Politics • Housing Inequality • Trigger Warnings • Model Minority Myth -Dr. Eddie Moore Jr. - “Diversity, Privilege and Leadership: Are We Making Any Progress?” -Self Defense Workshops -L.E.D.S – Intersectionality in the Science s -Safe Space Training -Celebrate Diversity – Facilitator Training

Diversity dinners sponsored by the diversity center facilitated by a diversity center employee for student groups on campus to have open conversations about diversity and cultural competence. The PCDA and CODA sponsor educational workshops together for cultural competency trainings for students. PCDA and CODA planned the cultural competency interactive presentation given by Eddie Moore, Jr. open to all faculty, staff, administrators, and students in April.