Portland State University
PA-5: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Diversity, equity and inclusion is not only a value and a mission of PSU, it is the essential framework of who we are and what we do as an institution and community. Global Diversity and Inclusion (GDI) is the central division that leads and facilitates the continuous quest for Inclusive Excellence. We structure our ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion journey through four pillars: Diversity education and learning, equity and compliance, advocacy, and partnerships and engagement and student support and programs. In 2018, Diversity and Multicultural Student Services (DMSS) was merged with Global Diversity and Inclusion. DMSS' mission is to provide an accessible, inclusive environment that enriches the university experience and engages students, their families, and the community. DMSS serves and empowers student populations whose access, retention, academic success, and graduation are most challenged by socio-historical factors and contemporary inequities.

The Diversity Action Council (DAC) is commissioned by the President and Vice President for Global Diversity and Inclusion, and is comprised of PSU faculty, staff, and students, with facilitation administrative support from GDI. The DAC's role is to foster equity and social justice by reviewing PSU programs, policies, and decision making and developing recommendations that aid the university in our work to serve the best interests of our diverse constituents. The DAC's mission is to continuously work towards the goals of the PSU Strategic Plan. The work of the DAC is carried out by 7 primary committees and 3 subcommittees, charged with reviewing current practice, researching best practices, identifying gaps that frame recommendations for strategic plan DEIP goal progress. The committees are:
Review and impllementation of DEIP;
Culturally Responsive Workshops and Annual Symposium;
Recruitment and Retention of Diverse Faculty;
Recruitment and Retention of Diverse Staff;
Recruitment and Retention of Diverse Students;
DAC communications, including newsletter and blog;
President’s Diversity Mini-Grants;
President’s Diversity Awards selection;
President’s Diversity Awards ceremony.

We demonstrate our commitment to expanding opportunity by applying an equity lens to decision making and in particular to campus-wide policy-making, planning and assessment measures. University employees, including faculty and academic advisers, receive training for culturally responsive education so they are adequately prepared to provide inclusive services. We strive to assess diversity outcomes and make necessary adjustments to ensure our students are equipped for success in a diverse and rapidly changing world. Additionally, in 2018 Portland State re-convened its Bias Review Team to examine the bias incidents on campus and determine how to address systemic issues. This year, the Interim President appointed six Presidential Fellows and three of them are working on matters that are specifically directed at advancing diversity, equity and inclusion: Create a plan and strategies to advance use of an equity lens; raft a plan and strategies to enhance PSU’s connectivity and partnership with Native American Tribes; review the African American/Black/African Student Success Taskforce report and make recommendations to implement the report.

All faculty, staff, and student employees are required to complete an online training called ""Creating a Culture of Respect: Preventing Prohibited Discrimination and Unlawful Harassment""

All students are required to complete an online training called ""Creating a Safe Campus: Preventing Gender Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Assault""

Additionally, there are several other opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to receive training, workshops, or events that focus on cultural competencies. These include but are not limited to:

-Culturally Responsive Symposium: a collaboration with the Office of Global Diversity and Inclusion and the Diversity Action Council, the annual event is full day of workshops that explore various diversity issues including race, sexuality, gender, disability, and socioeconomic class. The workshops address different aspects of the work done to promote an inclusive environment at PSU. The series strives to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, celebrate differences, and illuminate intersecting commonalities between people, culture, and community.

-It's Our Place: an active bystander workshop for students, staff, and faculty helping to identify your responsibility to help, know what to do and how to do it safely, and contribute to a culture that doesn't allow violence.

-MLK Tribute: A week of events as a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Every year PSU hosts a guest speaker for a series of events. 2018, Walidah Imarisha speaking on Afrofuturism and Possibilities for Oregon. This event also included a reception for students to engage with the speaker on a more personal level.

-Other workshops/trainings: Inclusive hiring workshop, implicit bias, micro-aggressions, Queer Education Seminars & Trainings, respectful communications and interactions in the time of #metoo, Inclusive and Culturally Responsive Curriculum and Pedagogy Workshops and many more

For all faculty and upper administration committees, search committee members are required to participate in inclusive hiring workshop which provides best practices for searches from the time of developing the position description to hiring, exams individuals biases and provides guidance on prohibited questions and other EO concerns. The workshop is open to all individuals participating on search of any level.

Information provided by Julie Caron , Associate VP Global Diversity and Inclusion

Workshops: https://www.pdx.edu/diversity/diversity-education-learning-webinars