University of Minnesota, Morris
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

The U of M has a non-discrimination statement. http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Equity_Diversity_EO_AA.pdfBelow is a portion: Below is a portion of the statement: The following principles shall guide the commitment of the University of Minnesota (University) to equity, diversity, equal opportunity, and affirmative action: (a) Consistent with its academic mission and standards, the University is committed to achieving excellence through equity and diversity. (b) A diverse student body enhances the academic and social environment for all students and prepares students to thrive in an increasingly diverse workforce and society. (c) Equal educational access is critical to preparing students for the responsibilities of citizenship and civic leadership in a heterogeneous society. (d) As a community of faculty, staff, and students engaged in research, scholarship, artistic activity, teaching and learning, or the activities that support them, the University seeks to foster an environment that is diverse, humane, and hospitable. (e) In partnership with community groups, the University is committed to serving the state, the nation, and the world through its outreach and public service.

Response team: The Response Team for possible bias incidents will include: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (convener) Asst. Vice Chancellor for Student Life (convener, in absence of VCSA) Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Director (convener, in absence of the above) Multi-Ethnic Student Program Director Target group lead support staff person (i.e. Multi-Ethnic Student Program Director, Queer Issues Committee Chair, Disabilities Services Coordinator, Commission on 6 Women Coordinator, Center for International Programs Director, Veterans Services Coordinator) Chief Law Enforcement Officer (or their designee) for incidents of a criminal nature Morris has a set of reporting and response guidelines that can be found here, including the team. https://www4.morris.umn.edu/morris-campus-police/programs-and-services/biased-crime-or-hate-crime

The University of Minnesota sponsors the Diversity Pre-Doctoral Fellows Program, which recruits faculty to Morris--up to two per year--who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education to teach one course per semester while completing their dissertation. On the grounds of an Indian Boarding School, Morris has, since opening its doors in 1960, honored a mandate to offer a full tuition waiver to American Indian students and a staff person in Equity, Diversity & Intercultural Programs represents UMM at several high school college fairs, each year. Morris’ student body is the most diverse in the UMN system, with 21% Native American students, 10% other students of color. 42% of the student body aim to be the first in their family to complete a four-year degree.

Morris sponsors the Gateway Program (a month-long intensive introduction to academics and campus life) for students from underrepresented backgrounds and supports the success of students who face barriers to completion through the TRiO Student Support Services and Native American Student Success programs once they are fully matriculated. NASS, SSS, and our Academic Advising Office offer systematic coaching to students. The Multi-Ethnic Student Program offers mentoring and support for underrepresented students, in addition to serving as a hub for a number of identity-based student (Black Student Union, Asian Student Association, Voces Unidas, Women of Color Association, MoQSIE, Circle of Nations Indian Association, Disability Alliance, etc.)

Several UMM programs focus on exposing underrepresented students to research opportunities and encouraging them to pursue graduate studies. UMM just (fall 2017) selected its inaugural McNair cohort. The McNair Program is a TriO Program supporting disadvantaged students in preparation for and throughout the pursuit of a Ph.D. The Morris HHMI-Pathways to Science, which encourage underrepresented students to participate. We are a member of the "North Star STEM Alliance/LSAMP (Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation)", an NSF-funded program that seeks to increase the success rate of Native American, African American and Hispanic/Latino students in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) fields. In addition, we have a STEP program that seeks to encourage Native American students to participate in environmental science research projects. The Multi-Ethnic Mentorship program provides students of color the opportunity to receive a stipend for working with faculty or staff on year-long research projects. The University of Minnesota, Morris— and the Office for Equity and Diversity (OED) also coordinate the Diversity Pre-Doctoral Teaching Fellowship Program which provides U of MN doctoral candidates the opportunity to teach one course per semester, write their dissertation, and participate in the administrative and social life of campus while being mentored by a senior faculty member.