Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 61.04
Liaison Tina Woolston
Submission Date March 1, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Tufts University
PA-5: Assessing Diversity and Equity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 1.00 Robert Mack
Associate Provost and Chief Diversity Officer
Student Success and Advising
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Has the institution engaged in a structured assessment process during the previous three years to improve diversity, equity and inclusion on campus?:
Yes

A brief description of the assessment process and the framework, scorecard(s) and/or tool(s) used:

The Office of Institutional Research and Evaluation (OIRE) has put together a Diversity Dashboard to visualize and assess diversity data at Tufts. This data has been gathered primarily through optional race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and geographic location questions on the student and employee application processes, not a unique assessment for diversity. The resulting diversity and inclusion information informs and empowers subsequent initiatives from the Chief Diversity Officers and other on-campus diversity groups to address the needs of minority groups on campus

The Diversity Dashboard is available here: https://www.tufts.edu/strategic-themes/diversity-and-inclusion
The methodology used by OIRE for data collection is accessible here: https://provost.tufts.edu/institutionalresearch/race-ethnicity-faq/

Furthermore, the Office of Equal Opportunity conducts a statistical analysis each year. Based upon that, they establish goals for representation of underrepresented personnel in the Tufts' workforce. Tufts' HR department uses those data to help focus efforts to diversify the applicant pool for staff positions.


Does the assessment process address campus climate by engaging stakeholders to assess the attitudes, perceptions and behaviors of faculty, staff, administrators and students, including the experiences of underrepresented groups?:
No

Does the assessment process address student outcomes related to diversity, equity and success (e.g. graduation/success and retention rates for underrepresented groups)?:
Yes

Does the assessment process address employee outcomes related to diversity and equity (e.g. pay and retention rates for underrepresented groups)?:
No

A brief description of the most recent assessment findings and how the results are used in shaping policy, programs and initiatives:

The Diversity Dashboard is a valuable tool for on campus cultural groups to tailor inclusion and advocacy efforts to the student groups represented on campus. Tracking minority representation among the Tufts student body, faculty, staff, and leadership through the Diversity Dashboard offers an insightful visual tool for diversity and inclusion program support.

A statement from the Chief Diversity Officers highlights this utility:

"Our interactive diversity dashboard helps raise awareness of inclusion as a university priority, enables us to celebrate our achievements, and illuminates areas for improvement."

Findings of the most recent assessment reveal gender disparities in Tufts Trustees and race/ethnicity inequalities among Faculty. Staff race/ethnicity distributions were somewhat more diversified. Gender distributions by school remain uneven, but show trends toward equity from years 2015 to 2017.


Are the results of the most recent structured diversity and equity assessment shared with the campus community?:
Yes

A brief description of how the assessment results are shared with the campus community:

The Diversity Dashboard is published on the Tufts Diversity and Inclusion website, including the interactive data visualization and the associated database available for download and analysis.

Further information about diversity and cultural initiatives is available in the annually published OIRE Fact Book.


Are the results (or a summary of the results) of the most recent structured diversity and equity assessment publicly posted?:
Yes

The diversity and equity assessment report or summary:
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The website URL where the report or summary is publicly posted:
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.