| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.67 |
| Liaison | Aurora Sharrard |
| Submission Date | Feb. 13, 2024 |
University of Pittsburgh
PA-5: Diversity and Equity Coordination
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.67 / 2.00 |
Cheryl
Ruffin Institutional Equity Manager Diversity & Inclusion |
Does the institution have a diversity and equity committee, office, and/or officer tasked by the administration or governing body to advise on and implement policies, programs, and trainings related to diversity, equity, inclusion and human rights?:
Does the committee, office and/or officer focus on students, employees, or both?:
A brief description of the diversity and equity committee, office and/or officer, including purview and activities:
The University of Pittsburgh's Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI) was established in 2015 to help build the University into a world-class model of diversity and inclusion defined by inclusive excellence and an environment that allows everyone to thrive.
Pitt's OEDI is committed to fostering diversity and celebrating differences, educating the community on the benefits of diversity, promoting equity, eliminating discrimination, and advancing equal access to all opportunities at the University.
The Pitt Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:
•Coordinates, facilitates and participates in the development and implementation of equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and diversity policies, procedures, and guidelines for the University.
•Monitors progress in implementing diversity initiatives and realizing objectives for enhancing inclusion.
•Prepares institutional and governmental reports including, but not limited to, the University's Affirmative Action Plans.
•Develops and delivers education and training.
•Organizes, collaborates on, and participates in a variety of cultural celebrations.
•Investigates and/or coordinates the handling of internal complaints of discrimination, bias incidents, discriminatory harassment, and grievances associated with accommodation requests.
•Develops and creates new and existing Affinity Groups for faculty and staff.
Estimated proportion of students that has participated in cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
Estimated proportion of academic staff that has participated in cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
Estimated proportion of non-academic staff that has participated in cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
A brief description of the institution’s cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
Fostering diversity and cultivating inclusion are truly the work of each and every member of the University of Pittsburgh community. It is imperative to the University's continued excellence that a diverse and inclusive educational and employment environment is created and maintained. To reach that goal, the University offers a variety of workshops, educational opportunities, and sessions focused on specific needs, including in-person interactive workshops as well as online courses.
The Pitt Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion offers and/or coordinates educational sessions and training for students, staff, and faculty in a variety of settings, including both in-person and online programs. Courses include: Anti-harassment, Fostering Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace - A Supervisor's Rule, Microaggressions, Different Like You, Recruiting for Excellence and Diversity, Title IX, Responsible Employee, Respect my Generation.
OEDI also leads a comprehensive Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program available to all Pitt Employees through Human Resources' Faculty and Staff Development Program.
Learn more about the Diversity & Inclusion Certificate: https://www.diversity.pitt.edu/education/diversity-and-inclusion-certificate-program
OEDI also provides customized training on issues related to diversity and inclusion and many other topics to units all over our campuses.
OEDI facilitates training to assist search committees overcome implicit biases during the search and hiring process.
ANTI-BLACK RACISM COURSE
In Fall 2020, the University of Pittsburgh automatically enrolled all first-year students in a new, 1 credit class, "Anti-Black Racism: History, Ideology, and Resistance" to help build a culture of social inclusion and anti-racism. All course materials are available for free and open to the public.
Learn about Pitt's Anti-Racism Course: https://www.provost.pitt.edu/anti-black-racism-history-ideology-and-resistance-final-course-syllabus
PITTED JUSTICE COLLECTIVE
Additionally, in June 2020, Pitt's School of Education created the PittEd Justice Collective in response to the loss of Black lives through police brutality and institutional injustice. This 3-year working group engages students, staff, faculty, alumni, families, youth, and district and community partners to disrupt and transform inequitable educational structures. Through collaboration a future that is more equitable, engaging, and justice-directed can be built for our region.
Learn more about the PittEd Justice Collective: https://www.education.pitt.edu/about/equity-and-justice/pitted-justice-collective
THIS IS NOT NORMAL TOWN HALL SERIES
In response to the death of George Floyd, racial injustices, and health inequities in the face of a pandemic, OEDI and the Office of Health Sciences Diversity created a town hall series called “This is Not Normal; Allyship and Advocacy in the Age of COVID-19.” This series tackles relevant issues while educating the community on how to be effective advocates to create an equitable and inclusive future for all. Learn more about this ongoing Pitt Town Hall: https://www.diversity.pitt.edu/events/town-hall-series
OTHER TRAININGS AND ACTIVITIES:
- The annual Pitt Diversity Forum led by the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: https://www.diversity.pitt.edu/diversity-forum-july-30
- The Department of Medicine's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: https://diversity.dom.pitt.edu/office-programs/
- OEDI Social Justice Updates and Resources, https://www.diversity.pitt.edu/social-justice
- Pitt's Center on Race and Social Problems (CSRP), has regular events resulting from their applied social science research on race, color, ethnicity and their influence on the quality of life for all Americans.
https://crsp.pitt.edu/
Website URL where information about the institution’s diversity and equity office or trainings 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.