Luther College
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Luther College is committed to creating and maintaining an atmosphere where all members of the community – students, faculty, staff and visitors – are treated with respect and dignity. It is the policy of Luther College to provide equal educational opportunities and equal access to facilities for all qualified persons. The College does not discriminate in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal or state law. This commitment includes the provision of a campus environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. The College will not tolerate any form of illegal discrimination or harassment and will not condone any actions or words that constitute such. This policy complies with the Department of Education Administration Regulations for Direct Grant Programs section 75.500 and State Administered Programs section 76.500 on nondiscrimination. https://www.luther.edu/hr/faculty-staff/policies/non-discrimination-statement/

Luther College has developed a Bias Response Team to aid the college's response to reported incidents of alleged bias or hate. The college's Bias Incident, Hate Act, Hate Crime, Discrimination, and Harassment Policy includes information about the bias response team. The team consists of representatives from across the college who are in positions to address reports alleged policy violations. The team works collaboratively to review reports and to initiate support outreach for affected community members. Individuals who report an alleged policy violation are contacted by a member of the team to offer support and referrals for support. Support is customized to the situation and the individual and will be adjusted accordingly. The following is a brief description of the Bias Response Team at Luther College. A complete description can be found at the website listed at the bottom of this entry. Bias Incident, Hate Act, Hate Crime, Discrimination, and Harassment Policy and Procedures I. Policy Statement on Bias Incidents, Hate Acts, Hate Crimes, Discrimination, and Harassment Luther College is committed to creating and maintaining an atmosphere where all members of the community—students, faculty, staff, and visitors—are treated with respect and dignity. It is the policy of Luther College to provide equal educational opportunities and equal access to facilities for all qualified persons. The college does not discriminate in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of, or a person’s association with, a person(s), age, color, creed, disability, gender identity/expression, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal or state law. This commitment includes the provision of a campus environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. The college will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment and will not condone any actions or words that constitute such. This policy describes prohibited bias incidents, hate acts, hate crimes, discrimination, and harassment, identifies resources and support provided to individuals who may have experienced such conduct, and establishes procedures for reporting and adjudicating incidents. This policy is an elaboration of the Luther Code of Conduct. A bias incident, hate act, hate crime, discrimination, or harassment is violation of the Luther Code of Conduct and is subject to the same jurisdiction, regulations, conduct procedures, and sanctions as defined in the Code of Conduct and/or highlighted below. All members of the Luther College community are accountable for compliance with this policy. The College is committed to eliminating bias incidents, hate acts, hate crimes, discrimination, and harassment, wherever they occur in the college community, by taking corrective action as a result of violations of this policy. Violations may lead to disciplinary action up to and including separation from the college. Violations of this policy may impact an individual(s) and/or the Luther College community. After receiving a report of an alleged violation of the Bias Incident, Hate Act, Hate Crime, Discrimination, and Harassment Policy, the College will determine the appropriate next steps in accordance with our policy. In most cases the College will allow the complainant to determine if and when to initiate the student conduct process or other relevant process. However, in instances where extensive harm has occurred or there is risk to an individual(s) or the campus community, Luther may proceed with the student conduct process with the College serving as the complainant. Acts of harassment that are not discriminatory or motivated by bias are not covered by this policy, but instead fall under the student Code of Conduct. Luther College maintains a separate Student Policy on Sexual Misconduct and Interpersonal Offenses that governs incidents of sexual and gender-based harassment and contains information on reporting resources, policy definitions, and processes. A complete description of Luther College's bias response team and protocol can be found here: https://www.luther.edu/studentlife/student-handbook/?policy_id=678289

Luther College's 2018 Strategic Plan emphasizes our commitment to recruiting students, staff, and faculty from underrepresented groups. The following major objective of the Strategic Plan focuses on this topic: Objective 3.3: Recruit, support, and retain a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. Activities: 1. Design a cohesive, structural marketing and outreach model to diversify the faculty and staff. 2. Develop formal mentoring initiatives for underrepresented faculty, staff, and students. 3. Implement a comprehensive first-year experience for all students that uses the framework of inclusive excellence to support student engagement and success. 4. Advance campus-community relationships to ensure a mutually welcoming experience on campus and in the larger Decorah community. The TRIO Achievement Program helps first-generation and income-eligible Luther students make the most of their college experience and reach their potential. The program positions and empowers participants to thrive at Luther College by providing holistic, individualized support and comprehensive programming that promotes their academic success, personal development, and sense of community. Luther College has published the following protocol, Guidelines for Staff Diversity in Employment: https://www.luther.edu/hr/faculty-staff/guidelines-for-staff-diversity/ Luther College participates in the AMC-CIC Mellon Faculty Fellowships On the Associated Colleges of the Midwest website, they state, "At the post-graduate level, ACM-CIC Mellon Faculty Fellowships offer tenure-track appointments at one of the ACM colleges to new Ph.D. or terminal master's degree graduates whose backgrounds and life experiences will enhance diversity on the ACM campuses and who have recently earned their graduate degree, preferably from a CIC institution. There will be 30 Faculty Fellow appointments in the humanities, humanistic social sciences, or the arts over the seven years of the grant." As an ACM institution, Luther College seeks Faculty Fellow appointments "in the humanities, humanistic social sciences, or the arts over the seven years of the grant" with an aim to enhance the diversity of new faculty, while also enhancing the careers of the Fellows and teaching programs of Luther. Luther College advertises its faculty and staff positions through channels designed to reach applicants of all backgrounds. Every job includes a diversity statement that reads: “Luther College seeks to build a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students. Luther College is an equal opportunity employer. Women and persons of diverse ethnic backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. We value the input of multiple viewpoints and perspectives to create an academic community that is rich with cultural, social, and intellectual diversity. Candidates are encouraged to identify their strengths or experiences that will contribute to this goal." We have an admissions counselor specifically designated for recruiting students of color within a certain geographical territory. This position came about because of a recommendation from the Diversity Center. Luther College has a Diversity Liaison to assist with hiring practices. More information about this role can be found here: https://www.luther.edu/hr/faculty-staff/guidelines-for-staff-diversity/

A new initiative at Luther College as of Fall 2018 is the Catalyze Program. The Catalyze program is designed as a collaborative effort between the non-profit organization, College Possible, and participating colleges and universities. College Possible utilizes near-peer (recent college graduate) coaches who work at college campuses and interact directly with students who live and study there. Catalyze coaches support students as a resource for questions and concerns. They use a structured curriculum to help students get the most out of their four years, and actively build a community of support which is invested in student success. The program is managed by the coordinator of the program and other staff members who monitor the coaches and make sure each student is receiving the appropriate support and resources to help them be successful. ... The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation/IINspire Luther College is a member of The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation/IINspire (Iowa Illinois Nebraska STEM Partnership for Innovation in Research and Education) Alliance—a group of Midwest schools funded by the National Science Foundation to provide research opportunities, stipends, and mentoring for undergraduate students from historically underrepresented groups intending to earn baccalaureate degrees in STEM (Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering) fields. ... Summer Bridge Programs (pre-college) Luther College offers a Summer Science Symposium and Teacher Education Seminar, designed to provide an intensive summer experience for students who have traditionally been underrepresented in higher education. Specifically, the program is targeted to ethnic minority students and/or first-generation college students who show great promise for college entrance and eventual service to their professions and communities. The Summer Seminars began in 1995 to provide a challenging experience for students interested in careers in the sciences or business. The intensive six-day program is designed to provide students with hands-on experiences, work with professors and Luther College students on real research projects, participate in classes, laboratories, and co-curricular activities. ... Friendship Families The International Student Friendship Family Program is a program that links new international students with individuals or families in the Luther College and Decorah area communities. The goal of the program is to promote international understanding and friendship, develop an appreciation of how others live and view the world, and assist new students in the process of adjustment to Luther College and the United States. Students and their Friendship Families gather in informal settings and learn about life in the U.S. and Iowa, and about the home culture of the student. The friendship that grows between a student and his or her Friendship Family can promote diversity and cultural awareness that will last a lifetime. ... The Office of Student Life provides many services to support students through its various offices. The Center for Intercultural Engagement and Student Success (CEIS) and Student Academic Support Center (SASC) offer many programs such as Student Support Services. SSS is considered a retention program that serves students who are income eligible, first generation, and students with disabilities while they pursue and complete a degree in higher education. Meant to meet the needs of traditionally under-represented and under-served populations, SSS services and activities include academic support, mentoring, and cultural enrichment opportunities. There are also many student organizations that provide student support, such as PRIDE (People for Rights, Inclusion and Diversity of Expression) and the Black Student Union. Luther College Counseling Services is also available for any individual who needs help and support. New faculty teaching groups and teaching partnerships are available to all faculty when they begin their work at Luther. Counseling services are always available to faculty. Our faculty development program provides on-boarding and opportunities for mentoring for all new faculty. We provide additional support to faculty from underrepresented groups who come to us through the ACM's Undergraduate and Faculty Fellows Program for a Diverse Professoriate in the form of additional mentoring and funding for a membership with the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity.

Luther College is a participant in the AMC-CIC Mellon Faculty Fellowships program. At the post-graduate level, ACM-CIC Mellon Faculty Fellowships offer tenure-track appointments at one of the ACM colleges to new Ph.D. or terminal master's degree graduates whose backgrounds and life experiences will enhance diversity on the ACM campuses and who have recently earned their graduate degree, preferably from a CIC institution. There will be 30 Faculty Fellow appointments in the humanities, humanistic social sciences, or the arts over the seven years of the grant. As an ACM institution, Luther College seeks Faculty Fellow appointments "in the humanities, humanistic social sciences, or the arts over the seven years of the grant" with an aim to enhance the diversity of new faculty, while also enhancing the careers of the Fellows and teaching programs of Luther. Additinoally, Luther College is a member of The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation/IINspire (Iowa Illinois Nebraska STEM Partnership for Innovation in Research and Education) Alliance—a group of Midwest schools funded by the National Science Foundation to provide research opportunities, stipends, and mentoring for undergraduate students from historically underrepresented groups intending to earn baccalaureate degrees in STEM (Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering) fields.

Luther has a list of gender-neutral bathrooms and has worked in recent years to change language on single restrooms to be inclusive. https://www.luther.edu/lgbtqia/restrooms/ Farwell Hall has one gender-inclusive cluster. Within the last year we added a single user bathroom with a shower in one of our first year residence halls. Some students may have a medical need for a private bathroom but this also gives flexibility to gender non-conforming first year students to live in a first year community with option of private restroom. Additional support systems for underrepresented people: The Women and Gender Equality Center has the mission of supporting women interested in bettering themselves and the world around them. The Center works to provide a safe environment for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Working in partnership with the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Student Success, Global Concerns groups, Student Life and the Women and Gender Studies Program, the Women and Gender Equality Center supports the work of students and faculty in exploring the connections between gender, peace and justice. The Luther College Student Congregation is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation, affirming our welcome to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons to participate fully in our ministry. RIC is a program for Lutheran communities of faith to answer the inclusive call of the gospel by welcoming believers of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The student congregation joined the RIC roster in 1995. Luther College is home to a diverse and engaged community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBTQIA+) and allied students, staff, and faculty. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is united in opposing all forms of violence or discrimination and is committed to welcoming all people, regardless of sexual orientation, and their families into our congregations. Link to Disability Services website: https://www.luther.edu/disability-services/ List of initiatives from the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Student Success: https://www.luther.edu/diversity-at-luther/initiatives/ Inclusive Learning policy: https://www.luther.edu/diversity-at-luther/inclusive-learning/ Additional resources: https://www.luther.edu/diversity/information/executive-order/