New Mexico State University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

"NMSU is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of a person’s age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, serious medical condition, sex, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or spousal affiliation. Where a violation of policy is found to have occurred, NMSU will act to stop the conduct, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible in accordance with the NMSU Policy Manual and/or NMSU Student Code of Conduct." https://eeo.nmsu.edu/discrimination-policy/ https://eeo.nmsu.edu/affirmative/aap/

Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) is our bias response team. The OIE provides the option to the complainant of pursuing their complaint through an informal (which may include mediation) or formal process (submittal of the complaint). The formal internal discrimination complaint will be subject to an initial review to determine if the complaint will proceed to the investigation. NMSU is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of a person’s age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, serious medical condition, sex, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or spousal affiliation. Where a violation of policy is found to have occurred, NMSU will act to stop the conduct, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible in accordance with the NMSU Policy Manual and/or NMSU Student Code of Conduct. No employee or student, either in the workplace or in the academic environment, should be subjected to discrimination which includes inappropriate conduct. Even one incident may constitute a violation of policy. It is expected that students, faculty and staff will treat one another and campus visitors with respect. Determining what constitutes discrimination under NMSU Policy Chapter 3.25 will be accomplished on a case by case basis and depends upon the specific facts and the context in which the conduct occurs. See policy 3.25 in our Regents Policy Manual: https://manual.nmsu.edu/files/2013/10/10th-Ed-ARP-rev-07.14.16_mc.pdf https://eeo.nmsu.edu/discrimination-policy/ https://eeo.nmsu.edu/discrimination-grievance/

"Recruiting Excellent and Diverse Faculty" - this guide is created in keeping with the "Vision 2020 Strategic Plan" Every position at NMSU is critical to our ability to achieve our shared institutional goals. Each time we hire a faculty, staff and student member, we are given a chance to enhance this community and to demonstrate our university’s values of accountability, diversity, respect, and responsibility. We do this by following effective hiring practices that support and comply with NMSU policy and procedures in a way that is mindful of climate, culture and diversity and by acknowledging the unique qualities of each individual throughout the hiring process. Since each opportunity varies, the search for a new faculty, staff, and students is both unique and structured by policies. Focusing on diversity and looking for more ways to be truly inclusive and making full use of the contributions of all are best practices and an avenue to becoming the best land grant university in the nation. This focus will result in having a dynamic intellectual community that will meet the needs of our students, university community members, and our varied stakeholders. Success in our diversity efforts can be demonstrated when each person examines his or her attitudes, beliefs, and expectations of others; gaining comfort with differences; and developing awareness and understanding. Excellence and a strong commitment to diversity will create a vibrant work environment with a dynamic exchange of ideas and scholarship that will prepare our students to enter a global community and be lifelong productive citizens. https://hr.nmsu.edu/searchcommittee/ RECRUITING UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS We have several departments that focus on recruiting underrepresented groups in our state: American Indian programs, Black Programs, Chicano Programs, LGBTQ, and our International Programs offices. Recruiting students from underrepresented groups is supported by our Director of Student Activities and the Campus Programs Coordinator by making sure that we “develop activities and events that will meet the needs of the growing diverse student population and develop and facilitate educational workshops designed to promote student leadership and personal development.” We provide academic, financial aid/scholarship, financial literacy, and advisement services to targeted student populations, and we use our knowledge of targeted recruitment principles, procedures, and resources. In recruiting STEMED students, our University’s land grant mission is to serve New Mexico’s diverse population by providing outreach programs to broaden participation in STEM to students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds

NMSU has programs for many underrepresented groups, such as LGBTQ, Black and Chicano Programs, and American Indian programs, and veterans' programs, as well as services for students with disabilities, etc. All these programs provide social and academic support for students, faculty, and staff, all of whom are welcome to become a part of these supportive departments and groups on campus. Some of the many websites for these programs are below: LGBT+ PROGRAMS is committed to the wellness and success of all students, faculty, and staff in their expression of gender and sexuality at NMSU. LGBT+ Program provides advocacy, resources, education and programming to the college community. We welcome all students to utilize our facility, which includes a computer lab, LGBT+ themed library and lounge. LGBT+ Programs exists to meet the needs of our LGBT+ students and to welcome and encourage the expression and success of all students. Our mission is to promote inclusion and diversity at NMSU. lgbt.nmsu.edu HISPANIC COUNCIL is a hub group of multiple Hispanic student organizations at New Mexico State University that are under the supervision of Chicano Programs. The purpose of Hispanic Council is to foster professional development and leadership skills at NMSU. Another purpose is to foster unity and cultural awareness among the different Hispanic organizations on campus. http://chicano.nmsu.edu/ BLACK PROGRAMS unites students of African-American, Caribbean and African descent by increasing the awareness and appreciation of Black history through educational, cultural, social and academic programs. Our mission includes maintaining a vital support network to help students explore their chosen academic fields and succeed in completing their degree program. Black Programs gives the students the support and connections needed to help realize the full potential of each individual. We also deeply encourage students from all backgrounds to participate in our events and student organizations. It is very important for everyone, no matter what their racial/ethnic, religious background, or sexual preference to know they are welcome here and this is a safe place for them to study and have fun. http://blackprograms.nmsu.edu/ AMERICAN INDIAN PROGRAMS' believes that education is an effective form of empowerment. It is important to base your college choice decision on the resources and support services that are in place to assist you with achieving your collegiate goals. NMSU has invested many resources in support of its American Indian students. http://aip.nmsu.edu/ MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers) is a special research training support activity of NIGMS. Its goals are to increase the number and capabilities of scientists from underrepresented groups who are engaged in biomedical research and to strengthen science curricula and student research opportunities at institutions with substantial minority enrollments in order to prepare minority students for research careers. http://marc.nmsu.edu/ RISE (Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement): New Mexico State University is a RISE-eligible Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Of the over 300 HSIs in the continental United States, less than a dozen offer doctoral degrees—this includes NMSU https://rise.nmsu.edu/history/ ENLACE is derived from the Spanish word Enlazar, which means to link or weave together – to connect in such a way that the new entity is stronger than its parts. In southern New Mexico, ENLACE is a catalyst for bringing together various stakeholders, working collaboratively, to create and support a seamless educational system that is more responsive, accountable, accessible, and supportive of Latino/a students’ educational success. http://enlace.nmsu.edu/

Colleges have programs designed to help students prepare to be a faculty member or increase their graduate knowledge, such as MARC and RISE. MARC program supports efforts to strengthen the faculty, science course curricula, and biomedical research training programs and infrastructure at institutions with significant enrollments of underrepresented students. http://marc.nmsu.edu/ and https://rise.nmsu.edu/history/ 2. THE TEACHING ACADEMY: The Teaching Academy supports teachers, enhances learning, and builds community by serving all NMSU educators through training, mentoring, and networking. See link here: http://www.teaching.nmsu.edu/Events/initiatives/index.html 3. The Mission of the Graduate School is to facilitate the exchange of ideas and the creation of knowledge while fostering academic excellence. The Graduate School promotes a high quality-learning environment that EMBRACES DIVERSITY. New Mexico State University is one of the few research extensive universities that reflect Hispanic, Native American, and other New Mexican cultures. Our international students from Latin American, Asian, African, and European countries add to the richness of our diversity. The quality of life of our students is of critical importance to the Graduate School and New Mexico State University. We cultivate the marriage of academic and professional skills while helping students graduate in a timely manner. See link here: http://gradschool.nmsu.edu/gradschool/announcements.html

Under the heading "Optional Fields" for housing options on campus for LGBT students: "In 2009 NMSU started out with a ranking of 2 1/2 stars and is now listed as a premier school, which allows the university to been seen at the top of the list in the southwest. This past semester we worked with NMSU police and campus housing to improve the ranking. We hope to continue our work with both departments and the university to increase the ranking." https://newscenter.nmsu.edu/articles/view/9667/nmsu-ranked-as-lgbt-friendly-school According to the Top 100 Colleges and Universities for Hispanics list in the August 2016 edition of The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine, New Mexico State University has been recognized as one of the best institutions for Hispanics in the country: https://www.hispanicoutlook.com/top-100/ https://newscenter.nmsu.edu/Articles/view/12259/nmsu-highlighted-on-list-of-top-100-colleges-and-universities-for-hispanics https://plan.nmsu.edu/vision-2020-strategic-plan/