Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 62.46
Liaison Morgan Hartman
Submission Date Jan. 31, 2020

STARS v2.2

University of Nebraska - Lincoln
PA-6: Assessing Diversity and Equity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 1.00 Nayelly Rodriguez
Graduate Assistant
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 University of Nebraska–Lincoln contracted with Halualani & Associates to complete a diversity analysis during the 2016-17 academic year. Halualani & Associates is a leading research and consulting organization primarily serving higher education institutions in diversity research, analytics, and consulting. Specifically, Halualani & Associates completed Atlas Diversity Benchmarking and Diversity Mapping for campus.

Additionally, a Climate Study, conducted by Gallup, was initiated for the University of Nebraska System in 2018. The executive summary found:

• The Nebraska Commission of 150’s focus on eight areas to create a strategic plan for the university;
• Efforts to reinforce the importance of free speech, civil discourse and academic freedom;
• Work to enhance diversity and inclusion on campus; and
• Moving forward with the national search for a vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion.
Data are from web-based surveys conducted with students, faculty and staff members from April 12-29, 2018, and alumni from May 14-29, 2018. To attempt a census of each population, Gallup sent email invitations to 47,951 currently enrolled students, 15,233 faculty and staff members and 42,631 recent alumni (within the last five years) provided by the University of Nebraska. Gallup also sent a series of email reminders throughout the data collection period to increase participation.


Does the assessment process address campus climate by engaging stakeholders to assess the attitudes, perceptions and behaviors of employees and students, including the experiences of underrepresented groups?:
Yes

Does the assessment process address student outcomes related to diversity, equity and success?:
No

Does the assessment process address employee outcomes related to diversity and equity?:
No

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

UNL has produced a solid record of diversity activity and efforts in the last five years, which constitutes a foundational base from which to take more strategic action on diversity and inclusion. However, while there is indeed diversity activity taking place at this university, UNL’s record of efforts does not appear to be strategically framed.

Overall, Halualani & Associates identifies the following areas as urgent areas for
action by UNL for the next five years:
• the creation of a university-wide diversity strategic plan
• continued progress on diverse undergraduate student recruitment (for all minority
groups)
• continued progress on diverse graduate student recruitment (for all minority
groups)
• continued progress on student retention and graduation for diverse groups
• diverse faculty recruitment and retention
• diverse staff recruitment and retention
• diversity-related professional development for employees (staff, faculty,
administrators)
• further development of diversity-based affinity groups for employees

Many action steps were listed and described in the report, creating a plan and guidance to enhance the university's efforts on diversity and inclusion. To see all of the findings of the 32 page report, open the document below:


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 report has been published to the University website and the chancellor has discussed this report with the campus community on many occasions.


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 (upload):
Website URL where the diversity and equity assessment report or summary is publicly posted:
Website URL where information about the institution’s diversity and equity assessment efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---

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.