Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 70.33
Liaison Neha Sood
Submission Date March 3, 2022

STARS v2.2

Rochester Institute of Technology
PA-5: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.33 / 2.00 Enid Cardinal
Senior Sustainability Advisor to the President
Office of the President
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1 

Does the institution have a diversity and equity committee, office, and/or officer tasked by the administration or governing body to advise on and implement policies, programs, and trainings related to diversity, equity, inclusion and human rights?:
Yes

Does the committee, office and/or officer focus on students, employees, or both?:
Both students and employees

None
A brief description of the diversity and equity committee, office and/or officer, including purview and activities:
Working within the context of RIT’s Strategic Plan, the Vice President & Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion is responsible for influencing the design, development, delivery and measurement of initiatives, strategies, and processes as they relate to diversity and inclusion for students, faculty, and staff. Under the leadership of the Vice President, the Division of Diversity & Inclusion includes 38 staff members who provide a holistic range of programs and services that uphold the values of diversity and inclusiveness for students, faculty, and staff, and support compliance efforts in the areas of equal opportunity and affirmative action for all employees. The division works collaboratively with academic and administrative units in employee recruitment, hiring, and retention to increase the diversity of faculty and staff members, and to ensure a welcoming, inclusive, vibrant and accessible environment.
Additionally, the Board of Trustees Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee provides advice and consultation to the President and the Vice President & Associate Provost of Diversity and Inclusion on matters related to diversity at RIT.

Part 2 

Estimated proportion of students that has participated in cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
Some

Estimated proportion of academic staff that has participated in cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
Some

Estimated proportion of non-academic staff that has participated in cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
Some

If trainings are made available, provide:

A brief description of the institution’s cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
RIT offers 8 programs regarding diversity, inclusion and equity competencies. The largest engagement takes place via our employee certificate program, Cultural Humility Certificate Program. This competency-based training program is designed to help impart knowledge, awareness, and skills regarding diversity, that enhance inclusive behavior. To complete the program, participants must take four required workshops plus their choice of two electives.
RIT Diversity Theater presents interactive learning workshops using theater and theatrical techniques to engage participants in meaningful experiences within the context of diversity and inclusion education.
Inclusive Pedagogy is a 7-week teaching circle offered online in an asynchronous fashion. This circle focuses on how to incorporate inclusive teaching activities and habits into the classroom experience to better serve today’s college student’s culturally-informed learning. Tenured, non-tenured, adjunct faculty, teaching staff and graduate students are welcomed to participate.
Additionally, RIT offers three relationship building programs designed to overcome discomfort people have with difficult conversations. In addition, they offer an opportunity to work on intergroup dialogue skills. They are Gray Matter, What’s Your Diversity, and Breaking Bread – Circles and Pairs.

Additional Resources include:
ADVANCE – RIT
New Student Orientation Diversity Programming
New Employee Orientation Diversity Programming
American Sign Language Learning Center
Provost Summer Intensive American Sign Language and Deaf Culture Experience
Inclusive Hiring Training
Safe Zone Training
Undergraduate course offerings

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s diversity and equity office or trainings is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://nsfadvance.rit.edu/ has information about a number of these programs as well.

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.