University of Iowa
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Committee on Diversity Charter

Charge:

The Charter Committee on Diversity shall be governed by the terms of the General Charter. In addition, the Committee shall:

Advise on the formulation, review, and application of policies and guidelines that promote and support the full contributions of all of the University's diverse faculty, staff, and students.

Consider and recommend actions that will help support and fulfill diversity-related commitments made by the University under the University of Iowa Strategic Plan and other University programs, plans, and policies.

Provide a forum to which faculty, staff, and students may refer questions and recommendations concerning University diversity-related policies and procedures.

Kathryn Gerken (co-chair), Associate Professor, Psych & Quant Foundations
Laurie Croft (co-chair), Administrator for Professional Development, Belin-Blank Gifted Center
Holly Yoder, Advising Director, Honors Program
Eugene Parker, Graduate Research Assistant, Office Of Management & Bus Development
Belinda Marner, Assistant Vice President for Student Life, Student Services
Michelene Pesantubbee, Associate Professor, Religious Studies
Diana Leventry, Senior Associate Director of Human Resources, Human Resources
Zachary Rupiper, Student - College of Law
Ann Ricketts, Assistant Vice President for Research, Research Administration
Clare Kreiter, Professor, Office of Consultation and Research in Medical Education
Carol Haack, Manager, Financial Analysis, Nursing Administration
Yusung Kim, Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology
Yu Zhou, Student - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Sehee Thomas, Admission & Enrollment Services Manager, Student Services Program
Laura Goddard, Senior Admissions Counselor, Admissions
Julie Gagnon, Work W/Individuals, Admissions

The UI Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (EOD) supports a campus environment where each individual's ideas, contributions, and goals are respected and valued.

EOD is charged with implementation of equal opportunity, affirmative action, and diversity policies at the University of Iowa. We serve as a resource to support the university's compliance with federal/state laws and regulations and university policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual harassment by or towards any UI community member. As a unit of the Chief Diversity Office (CDO), EOD reports to the University’s Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Georgina Dodge.

In addition, the UI The Center for Diversity & Enrichment provides leadership and coordination for outreach and service to minority communities and students who participate in federally-funded Upward Bound programs. The office provides precollege student development, assistance with facilitating the enrollment process, and programs and activities that support the ability of underserved students to increase their skills to thrive and succeed at the University of Iowa.

Counseling Specialists are available to talk to students about all aspects of their college experience. Counselors want to make sure each student's transition to the university is a good one and that each student is aware of the opportunities available on campus.

Programming for students is offered to enhance students' cultural, social, and academic experiences. The programs have the goal of building community, celebrating cultures, and educating students on a variety of topics.

TRiO Programs- Upward Bound and Student Support Services foster the success of first-generation and low-income pre-college and college students.

There are twenty employees in the UI Center for Diversity and Enrichment and nine employees in the UI Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, in addition to University’s Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Georgina Dodge.

The Director of the UI Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity is responsible for managing the office as well as:

Assuring the university’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (including the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to persons with disabilities.)

Supporting the university by providing all members of the community with expert advice, education, and services that ensure the university’s compliance with all applicable federal, state, and university equal opportunity, affirmative action, nondiscrimination, and civil rights laws, regulations, and policies.

Providing resources such as Sexual Harassment Prevention Education, training on how to conduct faculty, professional and scientific employment searches, assisting departments in determining whether vacant positions they wish to advertise are underrepresented for women and/or racial/ethnic minorities, providing consultation services and resources to the hiring departments about how to conduct effective searches and recruiting ambassadors designed to be a valuable part of the search process.

Recognizing faculty or staff members, programs or departments, and students or student organizations engaged in diversity initiatives during the previous academic year that have promoted the development of an inclusive, diverse campus community.

Dr. Georgina Dodge is the Chief Diversity Officer for the University of Iowa. She provides vision, leadership, and counsel on matters of diversity and inclusion at the University of Iowa. Under her leadership, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity and the Center for Diversity and Enrichment partner with all campus units to create a welcoming and respectful environment that enables everyone to perform at their full potential.

These offices provide services and resources for underrepresented faculty, staff, and students; persons with disabilities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons; persons of disadvantaged socioeconomic status; and nontraditional, first-generation, and international students. The University of Iowa is pleased to see record enrollments in first year minority students and first year international students, as well as the diversity reflected in its graduate and professional programs.