Southern Illinois University Carbondale
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

The chief role of SIU Carbondale’s Associate Chancellor for Diversity (Chief Diversity Officer) is to ensure that our university culture is one of inclusiveness and that faculty, staff, and students have access to the resources necessary to make this a reality.
The chancellor formed the Chancellor’s Diversity Council in the fall of 2016 to examine what factors may be impeding the university's efforts to increase our diversity and to recommend a plan to eliminate existing barriers. The Chancellor’s Diversity Council is the primary advisory committee to the university’s chancellor on diversity planning, initiatives and issues, including the coordination of programs and identification and sharing of best practices.
The Chancellor’s Diversity Council has 23 members including faculty and staff from departments across campus, 2 graduate and 2 undergraduate students, and 1 alumni association member. The focus of the council is on the entire campus – faculty, staff, and students.
The council has been tasked with developing a comprehensive, university-wide diversity plan which will:
• Define and articulate the importance of diversity and inclusion at SIU,
• Identify, in appropriate consultation with campus units, measurable goals for diversity and inclusion in key areas such as student, faculty and staff recruitment and retention,
• Include specific strategies for achieving those goals that align with best practice, federal and state legislation, and the university’s commitment to diversity as a core educational and institutional value and,
• Establish protocols for monitoring ongoing progress,
• Oversee the implementation, updating and monitoring of the approved plan, providing reports at least annually to the chancellor,
• Recommend programming and initiatives that support a welcoming environment for all students, faculty and staff,
• Promote cross-campus collaboration in and engagement with diversity initiatives,
• Provide counsel on issues and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion.
Activities of the Chancellor’s Diversity Council and the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) during fiscal year 2019 include:
• Organized a two-day Diversity Curriculum Workshop for faculty
• Hosted the Defamation Experience performance for campus/community
• Leads a committee to address retention efforts
• Sponsored a two-day Crossroads Anti-Racism training for all administrators fall 2018
• Organized Diversity Month activities (April 1 – 30, 2019)
o Webinar – Overcome Unconscious Bias and Racial Tension
o Renzaglia Lecture: The Importance of Cultural Humility in our Practice
o Poster Session: Developing Cultural Awareness
o Diversity Symposium
o McNair Scholars Welcome Ceremony
o Video Competition – How Do Social Media Influence Intercultural Dialogue?

Office of Diversity and Equity
- Heritage and History Months: Events recognizing and celebrating heritage and history months such as Hispanic Heritage History Month, LGBTQ History Month, Native American History Month, Black History Month, Women’s History Month and Asian Heritage Month.
- Webinars are available for office, class or group meetings facilitated by a Staff Member. Webinars include titles :
1) Race: Though the Lens of White Privilege
2) Regional Nuances in Diversity Efforts
3) The Future Of Creating a Succession Plan
4) Reducing the Appearance of Reverse Discrimination and Double Standards
5) Spanish @ Work
6) Best Practices for Reintegrating Veterans
7) Diversity Recruiting for Leadership Talent