| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 62.46 |
| Liaison | Morgan Hartman |
| Submission Date | Jan. 31, 2020 |
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Nayelly
Rodriguez Graduate Assistant Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Non-discrimination statement
Yes
The non-discrimination statement, including the website URL where the policy is publicly accessible:
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.
https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination
https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination
Bias response team
Yes
A brief description of the institution’s discrimination response protocol or team:
Any member of the UNL community and visitors can submit incidents pertaining to bias; harassment; suspected or actual discrimination; and violations of the university's policies, student code of conduct, or any other university policy, including the non-discrimination policy through an incident reporting portal called TIPS available at http://bias.unl.edu.
The link to the portal is highlighted at the bottom of UNL website and is easily accessible.
Once an incident is reported the report is routed to the offices of Vice Chancellor of Business & Finance & Assistant Vice Chancellor for Human Resources. Any TIPS categorized as discrimination or bias is immediately routed to notify the Office of Institutional and Equity Compliance (IEC).
IEC then investigates allegations of illegal discrimination and harassment. The process involves a neutral assessment of the underlying actions followed by a fair assessment of the situation with suggestions and recommendations for a resolution of the conflict. The focus of these internal investigations is to help facilitate an outcome that will enable individuals to experience an environment where they have an opportunity for success. IEC provides key leadership to the campus community in the development of an inclusive and supportive campus climate. Equity and Compliance serves as the civil rights office of the campus and reports directly to the Chancellor and the head of the office is a member of the Chancellor's Administrative Team, actively participating in the governance of the institution.
In addition to the complaint and investigation procedures addressed above, UNL provides additional support to individuals who have experienced or witnessed incidents of discrimination.
For students, additional support services for those who experience violence or other crimes are available through Counseling and Psychological Services at the University Health Center. Reports of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic/dating violence and/or stalking will be forwarded to the University’s Title IX Coordinator as required by law. Information regarding services for students exploited by violent or relationships transgressions is available at the University Health Center website, http://health.unl.edu, and through the Victim Services Program website, http://involved.unl.edu/gender/advocate.php
Any UNL faculty or staff that have experienced or witnessed a bias incident, act of discrimination or hate crime or sexual misconduct are supported by the following procedure as explained by the following procedures: https://www.unl.edu/equity/employee-sexual-misconduct-procedures. As a protective measure for the victims, the university offers “no contact” orders and/or changing work schedules or work stations.
The link to the portal is highlighted at the bottom of UNL website and is easily accessible.
Once an incident is reported the report is routed to the offices of Vice Chancellor of Business & Finance & Assistant Vice Chancellor for Human Resources. Any TIPS categorized as discrimination or bias is immediately routed to notify the Office of Institutional and Equity Compliance (IEC).
IEC then investigates allegations of illegal discrimination and harassment. The process involves a neutral assessment of the underlying actions followed by a fair assessment of the situation with suggestions and recommendations for a resolution of the conflict. The focus of these internal investigations is to help facilitate an outcome that will enable individuals to experience an environment where they have an opportunity for success. IEC provides key leadership to the campus community in the development of an inclusive and supportive campus climate. Equity and Compliance serves as the civil rights office of the campus and reports directly to the Chancellor and the head of the office is a member of the Chancellor's Administrative Team, actively participating in the governance of the institution.
In addition to the complaint and investigation procedures addressed above, UNL provides additional support to individuals who have experienced or witnessed incidents of discrimination.
For students, additional support services for those who experience violence or other crimes are available through Counseling and Psychological Services at the University Health Center. Reports of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic/dating violence and/or stalking will be forwarded to the University’s Title IX Coordinator as required by law. Information regarding services for students exploited by violent or relationships transgressions is available at the University Health Center website, http://health.unl.edu, and through the Victim Services Program website, http://involved.unl.edu/gender/advocate.php
Any UNL faculty or staff that have experienced or witnessed a bias incident, act of discrimination or hate crime or sexual misconduct are supported by the following procedure as explained by the following procedures: https://www.unl.edu/equity/employee-sexual-misconduct-procedures. As a protective measure for the victims, the university offers “no contact” orders and/or changing work schedules or work stations.
Recruitment programs
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?:
Yes
If yes to any of the above, provide:
Diversity Leadership Symposia:
Nebraska's Diversity Leadership Symposia are special events for high school students designed to celebrate and promote leadership in diverse communities. Students who are nominated to attend are eligible for the $2,000 Emerging Leaders scholarship. There are different symposiums for first-generation students, Black leadership, Native American leadership, and Latino leadership.
Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center:
The Gaughan Multicultural Center continues the tradition of past UNL Culture Centers, providing a home away from home for underrepresented students, while welcoming all UNL students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests. The Multicultural Center is a stated priority of the Chancellor and an important step in securing and expanding the progress the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has made in our diversity efforts as a campus. This center provides multiple study and lounge spaces as well as student organization offices, meeting and conference rooms, a music room, a kitchen and a computer lab.
Diversity Scholarships:
UNL has a long list of diversity scholarships aimed at recruiting underrepresented groups. You can find this scholarship list here: https://admissions.unl.edu/cost/#scholarships/D
Multicultural Young Professionals Network (MYPN):
This group seeks to advocate for an inclusive campus and foster personal and professional growth for its members. Group members are entry- to mid-level staff and faculty at Nebraska.
Committee for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns:
A dedicated group of faculty and staff members who come together to ensure a university environment that empowers lesbian, gay, bi-/pan-sexual, trans*, queer, asexual, and allied (LGBTQA+) people.
There are a large number of student organizations targeting underrepresented populations. Some examples are: Afrikan people's Union, Mexican American Student Association, Spectrum-LGBTQ Allies, Hillel at Nebraska, Vietnamese Student Association, University of Nebraska Inter-Tribal Exchange, and more.
The university also has appointed a Director of Faculty Diversity and Inclusion, a role that is tasked with identifying efforts to expand diversity and inclusion within the faculty affairs realm.
Dr. Karen Kassebaum serves as the Director of Staff Diversity and Inclusion and oversees the following:
• Assist and collaborate with colleges and departments in their efforts to recruit and retain diverse staff.
• Monitor the recruiting, hiring, advancement and retention efforts of staff at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
• Through education, create an environment for effective cross-cultural communication, cross-cultural engagement and respect of individual differences in the staff community.
• Create a welcoming community that is inclusive, nurturing, respectful, supportive, and that fosters inclusive excellence.
• Share best practices that advance diversity, inclusion and cultural intelligences.
https://admissions.unl.edu/specialized-information/diversity/
Nebraska's Diversity Leadership Symposia are special events for high school students designed to celebrate and promote leadership in diverse communities. Students who are nominated to attend are eligible for the $2,000 Emerging Leaders scholarship. There are different symposiums for first-generation students, Black leadership, Native American leadership, and Latino leadership.
Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center:
The Gaughan Multicultural Center continues the tradition of past UNL Culture Centers, providing a home away from home for underrepresented students, while welcoming all UNL students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests. The Multicultural Center is a stated priority of the Chancellor and an important step in securing and expanding the progress the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has made in our diversity efforts as a campus. This center provides multiple study and lounge spaces as well as student organization offices, meeting and conference rooms, a music room, a kitchen and a computer lab.
Diversity Scholarships:
UNL has a long list of diversity scholarships aimed at recruiting underrepresented groups. You can find this scholarship list here: https://admissions.unl.edu/cost/#scholarships/D
Multicultural Young Professionals Network (MYPN):
This group seeks to advocate for an inclusive campus and foster personal and professional growth for its members. Group members are entry- to mid-level staff and faculty at Nebraska.
Committee for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns:
A dedicated group of faculty and staff members who come together to ensure a university environment that empowers lesbian, gay, bi-/pan-sexual, trans*, queer, asexual, and allied (LGBTQA+) people.
There are a large number of student organizations targeting underrepresented populations. Some examples are: Afrikan people's Union, Mexican American Student Association, Spectrum-LGBTQ Allies, Hillel at Nebraska, Vietnamese Student Association, University of Nebraska Inter-Tribal Exchange, and more.
The university also has appointed a Director of Faculty Diversity and Inclusion, a role that is tasked with identifying efforts to expand diversity and inclusion within the faculty affairs realm.
Dr. Karen Kassebaum serves as the Director of Staff Diversity and Inclusion and oversees the following:
• Assist and collaborate with colleges and departments in their efforts to recruit and retain diverse staff.
• Monitor the recruiting, hiring, advancement and retention efforts of staff at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
• Through education, create an environment for effective cross-cultural communication, cross-cultural engagement and respect of individual differences in the staff community.
• Create a welcoming community that is inclusive, nurturing, respectful, supportive, and that fosters inclusive excellence.
• Share best practices that advance diversity, inclusion and cultural intelligences.
https://admissions.unl.edu/specialized-information/diversity/
Mentoring, counseling and support programs
Yes
Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs designed specifically to support academic staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes
Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs to support non-academic staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes
A brief description of the institution’s programs designed specifically to support students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups:
The following programs are offered for students:
OASIS
The Office of Academic Support and Intercultural Services is a retention department designed to support all NEBRASKA students, but has a special emphasis on students of color. Housed in the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center (opened Spring 2010), staff works with students to create a familiar and comfortable environment to help students finish through to graduation. NU Connections, Study Skills Workshops, academic success labs, and a variety of social events are coordinated through this office
http://www.unl.edu/oasis/
NU CONNECTIONS
NU Connections is a mentoring program that provides first-year and second-year undergraduate students with a support system consisting of: Academic Resources, Peer Mentors, lunches with faculty/staff, and regular meetings with OASIS Program Coordinators. Students awarded the Nebraska Achievement, Davis/Chambers, SIPS, or Heritage Scholarships are required to participate in this program
http://www.unl.edu/oasis/program/nu_home.shtml
Student Support Services:
Student Support Services is committed to making higher education available to college students with academic need, who are low-income, first generation (neither parent has a bachelor's degree), and/or students with physical disabilities. SSS offers a broad range of opportunities and services to promote the academic success of eligible college students. Studies have found that students who receive comprehensive services from SSS programs are more than twice as likely to stay in school.
http://www.unl.edu/trio/
The following programs are open to all members of the university community (faculty, staff, and students):
LGBTQ Resource Center
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Asexual/Aromantic and Ally/Advocate (LGBTQA+) Resource Center advances the mission of UNL by working collaboratively to provide education, resources, outreach and advocacy to help build and sustain a socially just campus community that is welcoming and inclusive of all people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expression.
http://involved.unl.edu/lgbtqa/
UNL Women's Center
The Women's Center provides an extensive resource library, a meeting room for discussion groups, a welcoming space for conversations, counseling, studying, or just relaxing.
The following program is exclusively for Faculty and Staff:
Employee Assistance Program
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Employee Assistance Program is a confidential service offered to UNL employees and their immediate family members at no charge. Consultation and counseling are available to help faculty and staff with personal or work related problems that can affect general well being, work performance, or academic performance (https://hr.unl.edu/eap/).
The purpose of Pride@Nebraska is to provide community for faculty and staff; and to ensure a university environment that empowers LGBTQA+ people (formerly known as the Committee on GLBT Concerns). Recent decisions impacting the LGBTQA+ community have caused a variety of reactions and concerns. We would like to raise awareness and knowledge about our community and the importance of intentional inclusion of underrepresented viewpoints. We encourage the LGBTQA+ community and our supporters to be aware of resources and to utilize them as needed.
The general purpose of the Chancellor's Commission on the Status of People of Color is to enhance the status of people of color at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, by advising the Chancellor on issues pertaining to the specific concerns of faculty, staff and student who are people of color at the University. While individual members are free to engage in public advocacy on any issue, the Commission, as a commission, best serves its purposes through regular, confidential dialog with the Chancellor.
The Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Women exists to enhance the status of all women at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
OASIS
The Office of Academic Support and Intercultural Services is a retention department designed to support all NEBRASKA students, but has a special emphasis on students of color. Housed in the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center (opened Spring 2010), staff works with students to create a familiar and comfortable environment to help students finish through to graduation. NU Connections, Study Skills Workshops, academic success labs, and a variety of social events are coordinated through this office
http://www.unl.edu/oasis/
NU CONNECTIONS
NU Connections is a mentoring program that provides first-year and second-year undergraduate students with a support system consisting of: Academic Resources, Peer Mentors, lunches with faculty/staff, and regular meetings with OASIS Program Coordinators. Students awarded the Nebraska Achievement, Davis/Chambers, SIPS, or Heritage Scholarships are required to participate in this program
http://www.unl.edu/oasis/program/nu_home.shtml
Student Support Services:
Student Support Services is committed to making higher education available to college students with academic need, who are low-income, first generation (neither parent has a bachelor's degree), and/or students with physical disabilities. SSS offers a broad range of opportunities and services to promote the academic success of eligible college students. Studies have found that students who receive comprehensive services from SSS programs are more than twice as likely to stay in school.
http://www.unl.edu/trio/
The following programs are open to all members of the university community (faculty, staff, and students):
LGBTQ Resource Center
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Asexual/Aromantic and Ally/Advocate (LGBTQA+) Resource Center advances the mission of UNL by working collaboratively to provide education, resources, outreach and advocacy to help build and sustain a socially just campus community that is welcoming and inclusive of all people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expression.
http://involved.unl.edu/lgbtqa/
UNL Women's Center
The Women's Center provides an extensive resource library, a meeting room for discussion groups, a welcoming space for conversations, counseling, studying, or just relaxing.
The following program is exclusively for Faculty and Staff:
Employee Assistance Program
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Employee Assistance Program is a confidential service offered to UNL employees and their immediate family members at no charge. Consultation and counseling are available to help faculty and staff with personal or work related problems that can affect general well being, work performance, or academic performance (https://hr.unl.edu/eap/).
The purpose of Pride@Nebraska is to provide community for faculty and staff; and to ensure a university environment that empowers LGBTQA+ people (formerly known as the Committee on GLBT Concerns). Recent decisions impacting the LGBTQA+ community have caused a variety of reactions and concerns. We would like to raise awareness and knowledge about our community and the importance of intentional inclusion of underrepresented viewpoints. We encourage the LGBTQA+ community and our supporters to be aware of resources and to utilize them as needed.
The general purpose of the Chancellor's Commission on the Status of People of Color is to enhance the status of people of color at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, by advising the Chancellor on issues pertaining to the specific concerns of faculty, staff and student who are people of color at the University. While individual members are free to engage in public advocacy on any issue, the Commission, as a commission, best serves its purposes through regular, confidential dialog with the Chancellor.
The Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Women exists to enhance the status of all women at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Support for future academic staff
Yes
A brief description of the institution’s programs to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members:
UNL has a wide Variety of Programs to help encourage Future Faculty Diversity:
The institution instituted a Faculty Diversity and Inclusion Fellows program. This program, located in the Executive Vice Chancellor’s Office and under the leadership of Dr. Judy Walker, Associate Vice Chancellor for Faculty and Academic, was instituted in order for fellows to create training and materials to assist colleges and academic units with recruitment, hiring and retention of diverse faculty
McNair Scholars Program:
The Ronald E. McNair Program is administered through the Office of Graduate Studies and is funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant, with additional UNL in-kind support. Its aim is to increase numbers of underrepresented students in doctoral programs. UNL's McNair Scholars Program prepares selected undergraduates for graduate study by providing opportunities to define goals, engage in research, and develop the skills and student/faculty mentor relationships critical to success at the doctoral level.
W.H. Thompson Learning Community:
Recipients of the Susan T. Buffett Scholarship who choose to attend UNL automatically become members of the William H. Thompson Scholars Learning Community. Its goal is to foster the potential and build on the achievements of student members by supporting their academic, personal, and social development through a variety of opportunities, programming, and classroom experiences.
http://diversity.unl.edu/access-and-opportunity-programs
The OASIS Leadership Program: Diversity and Activism in Action:
The OASIS Leadership Program is a year-long commitment for students interested in creating change on campus and in Lincoln while learning about the histories and current events of the numerous communities of color in the United States. Participants will examine these communities as well as various leadership models in order to instigate change and become activists. Participants will also learn about the history of UNL affinity groups and culture centers, social justice, and the social change model. Students in the OASIS Leadership Program will be expected to attend events focused on diversity and regular meetings with their peers in the program.
http://www.unl.edu/oasis/oasis-leadership-program
The institution instituted a Faculty Diversity and Inclusion Fellows program. This program, located in the Executive Vice Chancellor’s Office and under the leadership of Dr. Judy Walker, Associate Vice Chancellor for Faculty and Academic, was instituted in order for fellows to create training and materials to assist colleges and academic units with recruitment, hiring and retention of diverse faculty
McNair Scholars Program:
The Ronald E. McNair Program is administered through the Office of Graduate Studies and is funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant, with additional UNL in-kind support. Its aim is to increase numbers of underrepresented students in doctoral programs. UNL's McNair Scholars Program prepares selected undergraduates for graduate study by providing opportunities to define goals, engage in research, and develop the skills and student/faculty mentor relationships critical to success at the doctoral level.
W.H. Thompson Learning Community:
Recipients of the Susan T. Buffett Scholarship who choose to attend UNL automatically become members of the William H. Thompson Scholars Learning Community. Its goal is to foster the potential and build on the achievements of student members by supporting their academic, personal, and social development through a variety of opportunities, programming, and classroom experiences.
http://diversity.unl.edu/access-and-opportunity-programs
The OASIS Leadership Program: Diversity and Activism in Action:
The OASIS Leadership Program is a year-long commitment for students interested in creating change on campus and in Lincoln while learning about the histories and current events of the numerous communities of color in the United States. Participants will examine these communities as well as various leadership models in order to instigate change and become activists. Participants will also learn about the history of UNL affinity groups and culture centers, social justice, and the social change model. Students in the OASIS Leadership Program will be expected to attend events focused on diversity and regular meetings with their peers in the program.
http://www.unl.edu/oasis/oasis-leadership-program
Optional Fields
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:
Here is the website with resources for transgender and transitioning students (including information about gender-neurtral bathrooms and housing options): https://lgbtqa.unl.edu/navigating-campus
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.