Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 53.46
Liaison Winnie Mulamba
Submission Date March 13, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of South Florida St. Petersburg
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.50 / 3.00 Sara Snader
Sustainability Intern
Facilities Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Issues of Diversity and Inclusive Community, whose members include administrators, faculty, staff, and student representatives from across the campus community, is an appointed body which will be advisory to the Regional Chancellor of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.

Our purpose is to work collaboratively to create a climate and sense of community within the University that is safe, affirming, and inviting for all administrators, faculty, staff and students.

https://www.usfsp.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/mission-and-charge/

http://www.usf.edu/diversity/diversity-inclusion/index.aspx

IN ADDITION -

The University of South Florida System (USF System) is a diverse community that values and expects respect and fair treatment of all people. The USF System strives to provide a work and study environment for faculty, staff and students that is free from discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, marital status, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, or genetic information, as provided by law. The USF System protects its faculty, staff, and students from discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation, as well as gender identity and expression. The USF System is also committed to the employment and advancement of qualified veterans with disabilities and veterans protected under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act, as amended (VEVRAA). As part of the effort to maintain an environment that is comfortable for all people and to ensure consistency with state and federal laws, the USF System establishes this policy.

FOUND HERE: http://regulationspolicies.usf.edu/policies-and-procedures/pdfs/policy-0-007.pdf


Does the institution have a discrimination response protocol or committee (sometimes called a bias response team) to respond to and support those who have experienced or witnessed a bias incident, act of discrimination or hate crime?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s discrimination response protocol or team (including examples of actions taken during the previous three years):

Students, staff, and faculty are strongly encouraged to report allegations of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation covered under the University's Diversity and Equal Opportunity: Discrimination and Harassment Policy #0-007; Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Harassment (Including Battery) Policy #0-004; and/or Disability and Accommodations (Public/Employees/Students) Policy #0-108. Delaying the immediate reporting of an allegation often hinders a proper investigation and can also unnecessarily subject the Complainant to continued discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation.

http://www.usf.edu/diversity/forms-policies/index.aspx


Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit students from underrepresented groups?:
Yes

Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit staff from underrepresented groups?:
Yes

Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit faculty from underrepresented groups?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s programs to recruit students, staff and/or faculty from underrepresented groups:

FOR STUDENTS:
The University of South Florida Upward Bound Program (UBP) is a TRIO college-access program funded by the United States Department of Education. The goal of UBP is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of post-secondary education. USF UBP serves Hillsborough County high school students living in low-income households or households in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree (first-generation college students). Services also include instruction, tutoring, counseling, mentoring, cultural enrichment, campus tours, and a college residential experience.

Additionally, USF has a variety of Graduate Fellowships Available for Underrepresented
Groups at USF-CMS

Also, College Reach-Out Program (CROP) is a statewide pre-college program established in 1983 designed to increase the number of students who successfully enter and complete a postsecondary institution. The program's primary objective is to strengthen the educational motivation and preparation of low-income and educationally disadvantaged students in grades 7 through 12, representing various cultural backgrounds, who "otherwise would be unlikely to seek admission to a community college, state university or independent post secondary institution without special support and recruitment efforts."

FOR STAFF/FACULTY:

The University of South Florida- Council Advisory Board on Diversity & Inclusion (CADIC) was created in 2016 as a way of reaching out and recruiting underrepresented groups in fulfilling open positions at the University. CADIC council members help oversee all new hires and make recommendations based on the applicant pool and underrepresented groups. CADIC works with other Tampa Bay underrepresented entities towards recruiting applicants for open positions.


Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support, academic support, or other programs to support students from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Yes

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

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

A brief description of the institution’s programs to support students, staff and/or faculty from underrepresented groups:

The SPECTRUM Mentor Program partners transfer and first year students with a student mentor based on common interests. Mentors help students acclimate to campus life at USF St. Petersburg. SPECTRUM mentors play an integral role in working with students during their first year of their college. Students will gain an understanding and appreciation of the campus culture, be introduced to co-curricular activities and receive assistance achieving academic and personal growth.

Currently a similar program is not in place for faculty and 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?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s programs to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members:
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Does the institution produce a publicly accessible inventory of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus?:
No

Does the institution offer housing options to accommodate the special needs of transgender and transitioning students?:
No

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.