Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.13
Liaison Eric O'Brien
Submission Date March 1, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.1

University of Northern Iowa
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Terry Hogan
Vice President
Division of Student Affairs
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a diversity and equity committee?:
Yes

The charter or mission statement of the committee or a brief description of the committee's purview and activities :

Definition:

Diversity describes the rich differences that people bring to the University of Northern Iowa community. It can refer broadly to culture, identity and ideology, or more specifically to age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, gender identity, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, marital status, national origin, or veteran status. Diversity is a dynamic concept, shaped by history, and changing as our understanding of the world and its people evolves.


Vision:

Our vision is to create a more welcoming community that celebrates the unique contributions of each person. To this end, we strive to remove obstacles that impede equal opportunity, to embrace vigorous and open dialogue in the search for understanding across differences, to promote cultural plurality and social justice, and to treat each person with respect and dignity.


Mission:

At the University of Northern Iowa, our mission is to create and maintain an inclusive educational environment which prepares students to thrive in a diverse, global environment.


Members of the committee, including job titles and affiliations :

Gwenne Berry, Chair - Compliance & Equity Mngmt
Virginia Arthur - Academic Affairs
Kathy Peters - Academic Learning Center
Nickole Dillard - Educ. Opportunity Programs
Phil Plourde - International Programs
Mary Connerley - College of Business
Evette Edmister - CHAS
Xavier Escandell - CSBS
Sara Blanco - College of Education
Susan Hill - Graduate College
Kerri Clopton - Council of Teacher Education
Ty Perkins - Faculty/staff at-large
Doug Mupasiri - Faculty/staff at-large
Celeste Bembry - Faculty/staff at-large
Jim O'Connor - University Relations
Freddy Miranda - Admissions
Juanita Wright - Student Financial Aid
Michael Blackwell - Multicultural Education
Drake Martin - Residence
Tricia Welter - Veterans Student Services
Ashley Brickley - Student Disability Services
Melissa Payne, Vice Chair - LGBT
Michelle Byers - Human Resource Services
Milissa Wright - Public Safety
Jean Berger - Athletics
Joel Anderson - Students
Alicia Jessip - Students


The website URL where information about the diversity and equity committee is available:
Does the institution have a diversity and equity office?:
Yes

A brief description of the diversity office:

The Office of Compliance and Equity Management at UNI has oversight for all equity and affirmative action issues involving compliance with federal and state laws, as well as Board of Regents and University policies dealing with civil rights issues. Additionally, they work closely with all departments to ensure the University implements a dynamic recruitment strategy for those affected classes underrepresented in the current workforce.

Ways in which the Office of Compliance and Equity Management serves the University community:

1. Monitors the University’s recruitment and employment procedures to ensure diversity objectives are met and equal opportunity guidelines are adhered to;

2. Compiles and reviews the University’s statistical analysis and reports concerning the workforce composition by race and gender, including the annual Affirmative Action Plan;

3. Receives reports and complaints concerning alleged violations of civil rights and works toward resolution through investigation, mediation, and other methods (View our brochure, Erasing Discrimination and Harassment in Our Community, for more information);

4. Oversees compliance with various federal and state laws, executive orders, rules, and regulations, including, but not limited to:

-Americans with Disabilities Act
-Executive Order 11246
-Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
-Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

5. Serves as the University liaison with outside civil rights agencies, including, but not limited to the:

-Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC)
-Office for Civil Rights (U.S. Department of Education)
-Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
-Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)

6. Supports, leads, and participates in efforts toward establishing and maintaining a culture which embraces diversity as a core value.


The number of people employed in the diversity office:
6

The website URL where information about the diversity and equity office is available:
Does the institution have a diversity and equity coordinator?:
Yes

Diversity coordinator’s name:
Leah Gutknecht

Diversity coordinator's position title:
Assistant to President, Compliance & Equity Management

A brief description of the diversity coordinator's position:

The position of Assistant to the President for Compliance and Equity Management reports directly to the President of the University and directs the operations of the Office of Compliance and Equity Management.

The primary function of the position is as follows:
Plans, develops, implements and administers university affirmative action and compliance policies and procedures; develops and implements campus-wide education and training programs to maximize awareness of discrimination issues, diversity and campus culture; serves as liaison with external agencies and internal offices; responds to inquiries and participates in the resolution of complaints and concerns; directs the investigative and mediation processes; and directs related auditing and reporting systems.


The website URL where information about the diversity and equity coordinator is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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