Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 72.78
Liaison Troy Goodnough
Submission Date Feb. 10, 2022

STARS v2.2

University of Minnesota, Morris
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.42 / 3.00 Troy Goodnough
Sustainability Director
Office of Sustainability
"---" 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:
The U of M has a non-discrimination statement.

http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Equity_Diversity_EO_AA.pdf

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.

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:
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

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?:
Yes

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:
The University of Minnesota sponsors the Diversity Pre-Doctoral Fellows Program, which recruits faculty to UMN 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, UMN 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 UMN Morris at several high school college fairs, each year. UMN Morris's student body is diverse -- 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.

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?:
No

Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs to support non-academic staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s programs designed specifically to support students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups:
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.)

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s programs to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members:
Several UMN Morris programs focus on exposing underrepresented students to research opportunities and encouraging them to pursue graduate studies. UMM has an ongoing McNair program and cohort. The McNair Program is a TriO Program supporting disadvantaged students in preparation for and throughout the pursuit of a Ph.D.

https://ace.morris.umn.edu/mcnair-morris

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.

UMN 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.

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:
A brief note about our diversity profile: https://students.morris.umn.edu/equity-diversity-intercultural-programs

Asian: 2%
Black and African American: 3%
Hawaiian: 0.2%
Hispanic: 4.0%
Native American: 28.0%
White: 56%
15% of all students are registered with the Disability Resource Center
At least 10% identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer
Between 1-3% identify under the umbrella of transgender and gender non-conforming
Many students are from low socio-economic households, transfers, and first-generation college students.

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.