Overall Rating Bronze
Overall Score 37.30
Liaison Jennifer Dunseath
Submission Date July 26, 2022

STARS v2.2

Roger Williams University
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.83 / 3.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Non-discrimination statement 

Does the institution have a publicly posted non-discrimination statement? :
Yes

The non-discrimination statement, including the website URL where the policy is publicly accessible:
https://www.rwu.edu/sites/default/files/downloads/hr/Non-Discrimination_Policy_%2809-2020%29.pdf

Bias response team 

Does the institution have a discrimination response protocol or committee (sometimes called a bias response team)?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s discrimination response protocol or team:
RWU is committed to stopping and responding to biased behaviors. Some bias incidents may violate the Student Code of Conduct and may be adjudicated through the student conduct system. Law students may also face consequences under the School of Law Honor Code. Behavior that is discriminatory or otherwise hurtful to members of the community is also addressed through educational interventions. Because some incidents may be beyond the reach of this policy, it is imperative that the University respond as a unified community to denounce such behavior. Acts of intolerance require all members of the university community to uphold the shared values.

Regardless of whether incidents violate policy or are inappropriate or insensitive, it is crucial that RWU responds in a timely, sensitive, and consistent manner. All parties involved‐‐ those who report such incidents as well as those accused ‐‐ will be treated with respect, consideration, and concern. Those involved will be given the opportunity to discuss the incident with a trained professional and will be apprised of their options for resolving the incident.

Response is driven by the determination of the incident as a localized or community bias incident.

Recruitment programs 

Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit students from underrepresented groups?:
Yes

Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit academic staff from underrepresented groups?:
No

Does the institution have programs designed specifically to recruit non-academic staff from underrepresented groups?:
No

If yes to any of the above, provide:

A brief description of the institution’s programs to recruit students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups:
Student recruitment of underrepresented students includes visits to high schools with racially diverse populations and/or low-socioeconomic areas, attendance at college fairs that serve these populations, visits and events for students in community-based organizations (CBOs), relationship-building with CBO advisors including tailored events and communications, tailored sessions for first-generation students including a virtual event series (First Flight College Nights) and special sessions at open houses, special scholarships for underrepresented students including Intercultural Leadership Ambassadors and Shawmut Scholars, waived application fee and reduced enrollment deposit for Pell-eligible students, personalized outreach, availability of virtual tour, information session, and other sessions and publications in Spanish language, availability of one-on-one admission and aid appointments with Spanish and Portuguese speaking staff.

Mentoring, counseling and support programs 

Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support, academic support, or other programs designed specifically to support students from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes

Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs designed specifically to support academic staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes

Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs to support non-academic staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s programs designed specifically to support students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups:
S.O.A.R (Strive, Overcome, Achieve, Rise) is a support program for first year students who are the first in their families to go to college. SOAR students will have the opportunity to be mentored by faculty mentors who serve as partners to help first year students navigate their first academic year at RWU and will advocate for your success. With SOAR, you will become a member of a large community of students who will support and learn from each other. One of the goals of SOAR is to help students connect with a cohort of students who share their identities and experiences while creating long-lasting relationships. Another goal is to understand the resources and opportunities available and to begin to take the initiative to make their RWU experience their own.

RWU also provides affinity spaces for women-identified, LGBQT+ and BIPOC employees.

Support for future academic staff

Does the institution have training and development programs, teaching fellowships and/or other programs that specifically aim to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s programs to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members:
---

Optional Fields 

Does the institution produce a publicly accessible inventory of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus?:
Yes

Does the institution offer housing options to accommodate the special needs of transgender and transitioning students?:
Yes

Website URL where information about the institution’s support for underrepresented groups is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Website URL where information about the institution’s support for all underrepresented groups is: https://www.rwu.edu/who-we-are/diversity-equity-inclusion

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.