The University of Texas at Dallas
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Non-Discrimination Statement

The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living and working environment that is welcoming, respectful and inclusive of all members of the university community. An environment that is free of discrimination and harassment allows members of the university community to excel in their academic and professional careers. To that end, to the extent provided by applicable federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination against a person because of their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. In addition, the University's commitment to equal opportunity extends its nondiscrimination protections to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression where not protected by applicable law.

Links:

Non-discrimination Policy Statement
https://policy.utdallas.edu/utdbp3090

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
https://www.utdallas.edu/institutional-initiatives/equity/equal-opportunity/

Community Standards and Conduct; Behavior Assessment and Intervention Team (BAIT)

Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/conduct/bait/

BAIT strives to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the entire UT Dallas community by preventing and resolving incidents of violence across campus, with an emphasis on addressing sexual harassment, stalking, dating/domestic violence, and sexual assault. The BAIT team accepts reports of bias incidents via an online portal or by telephone and reviews the behavioral incidents. The BAIT team refers incidents to the appropriate offices for further investigation (The Office of Institutional Compliance, Equity, and Title IX, the Dean of Students, UT Police Department are the primary units involved). BAIT then assist in the development of a strategy to address situations involving students whose behavior may be disruptive or harmful to the UT Dallas community, including situations where the disruptive or harmful behavior may be a result of a mental, emotional or psychological health issue. The BAIT team Coordinates the University response to address the situation. The BAIT team Monitors the cases that have come to the attention of the BAIT. The BAIT team makes recommendations to responsible University officials about appropriate action consistent with University policy and procedure statements, and with state and federal law. The BAIT team also offers educational opportunities and directs those who report bias incidents and those who committed the act considered a bias incident towards resources and services through the university offices such as the Students Counseling Center, Student Health Center, and Student Wellness Center. The Office of Institutional Compliance, Equity, and Title IX also has an online submission process for filing a grievance.

Through the help of the BAIT team, UT Dallas now offers several programs and services with the goals of reducing violence and ensuring students’ mental and physical safety. Examples Include: UT Dallas’ Bystander Intervention Student Leaders Organization works toward increasing peer safety through awareness of bystander interventions; UT Dallas’ Safe Walk Campus Escorts volunteer to provide walks to students, faculty, and staff to and from campus; UT Dallas' Comet Voice Care Team acts as a supporting program targeting students who have submitted Title IX reports; and the Hosting of the One Love Foundation programs which are peer-led education workshop aimed at raising awareness about the warning signs of abuse and activating communities to work to change the statistics around relationship violence.

=========Underrepresented Student Groups=========
Diverse student recruitment happens on a number of levels as most colleges, schools and departments have student diversity initiatives in addition to those through the Office of Admissions. The Office of Diversity and Community Engagement has a number of programs to reach out to diverse populations at the high school level, including five UT Outreach Centers around the state and Pre-College Academic Readiness Programs that provide dual credit programs to diverse students around the state.

Academic Bridge Program
The program is a highly successful initiative that recruits and graduates primarily underrepresented minority students from area high schools who do not meet normal UT Dallas admission standards but who do show a passion for success in college.
Link: https://is.utdallas.edu/academic-bridge-program/

Minority Scholars’ Symposium
The Minority Scholars’ Symposium, held each spring, is a one-day program for high school sophomores from Dallas ISD and Richardson ISD. The students visit UT Dallas to learn more about the University and the importance of pursuing a college education. The students interact with UT Dallas students, faculty and staff. The symposium targets 250 high school sophomores from nine local high schools in collaboration with the Office of Admission and Enrollment. The goal of this one-day college preview program is to increase the enrollment of diverse students at the University. Students participate in an admissions committee exercise, and tour the university.
Link: https://utdallas.edu/community/college-preparation-programs/minority-scholars-symposium/

Diversity Outreach Team
The UT Dallas Diversity Outreach Teams were established to support diversity student recruitment and outreach in the Hispanic and African American communities. The teams consists of current UT Dallas students selected for their academic success, campus involvement, leadership, and desire to serve others. The Black Outreach Leadership (BOLT) and Hispanic Engagement & Achievement Team (HEAT) focuses on assisting prospective students from traditionally underrepresented populations with the following services and programming:
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/community/school-and-community-outreach/diversity-outreach-team/

College Preparation Programs
Our college preparation programs are designed to help students and parents plan and prepare for college. The Department of Community Engagement hosts summer camps, SAT preparation session, and outreach programs to help students on their journey to obtaining a college degree.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/community/

School & Community Outreach
Our office partners with school districts, community groups, non-profit organizations and local businesses to develop collaborations that increase student diversity at UT Dallas and increase college readiness in the region. Our outreach teams lead workshops and information sessions in the community about UT Dallas and how to enroll and pay for college.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/community/

Diversity Scholars Program
The Diversity Scholars Program is a student success program that includes a scholarship for students with a record of academic excellence and financial need. The program supports freshmen and transfer students enrolling at UT Dallas.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/community/

====Underrepresented Staff/Faculty Groups =====
The Department of Faculty Diversity is responsible for supporting the recruitment, retention and promotion of underrepresented minority faculty at UT Dallas with an aim to improve the climate and networking among University faculty. The department creates programs to help tap the pipeline of qualified minority candidates and works closely with other departments, deans, search committees and the Provost's Office. These programs ensure best practices related to faculty diversity and advance faculty diversity by working to remove barriers, ensure fairness in university policies and practices, and to facilitate an inclusive climate of advancement and growth for all faculty. Another goal of the department is to enhance and expand recruiting efforts for underrepresented and female staff and faculty hires. In addition, committees of the Faculty Council and Staff Council work on issues around faculty and staff diversity.

Military and Veteran Employee Resource Group at UT Dallas
One of the main purposes of the Military and Veteran ERG is enhance recruitment of candidates with military experience.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/diversity/ERGs/resourceGroups.html

Latino Faculty and Staff Association at UT Dallas
One of the main purposes of the Latino Faculty and Staff Association at UT Dallas is to advocate for the recruitment of additional Latino faculty and staff, and for policies that support increased diversity and inclusion at the University.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/diversity/ERGs/resourceGroups.html

UT Dallas Women ERG
The UT Dallas Women Employee Resource Group works to provide and support programs that contribute to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women at UTD.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/diversity/ERGs/resourceGroups.html

=========Underrepresented Student Groups=========
There are programs within individual colleges, schools and units, the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, and the Division of Student Affairs which provide support for students from underrepresented groups. The Multicultural Center and the Galerstein Gender Center provide support for students of color, LGBTQA students and women. Services for Student Accessibility and the Military and Veteran Center provide services for students with a range of disabilities and students who are veterans on campus. The Counseling and Mental Health Center has special diversity counselors to work with underrepresented groups of students and offer free walk in counseling hours in conjunction with the Multicultural Center and the Gender Galerstein Center.

G-Force Mentor Program
The UT Dallas G-Force Mentor Program is a “near-peer” student mentoring program that serves underrepresented students at 14 high schools in North Texas. UT Dallas students serve as mentors to promote higher education to high school juniors and seniors at each school. The mentors provide mentees hands-on support completing admissions and financial aid applications, searching for scholarships, and selecting a college. The mentors also work closely with their high school site supervisor to support college initiatives at their school.
Link: https://utdallas.edu/community/school-and-community-outreach/g-force-mentor-program/

The SAWS Initiative, the Support and Advancement of Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), is an important outreach activity of the GWC. Programs such as MentorNet are designed to support this initiative by providing an online mentoring network, matching our science and engineering students with industry professionals across the nation and globally. The GWC continually assesses and evaluates programming and events each year to make sure they are still effective, aligning with campus needs and continuing to build our rich history of outreach and support for a diverse campus.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/diversity/resources/FAQ.html

Student Student Counseling Center
UT Dallas counseling staff team commits to diversity competence as a life-long learning process. The team supports one another in exploring issues of diversity by challenging biases and engaging in difficult dialogues, to further personal and professional integration. The team strives to maintain a mutually respectful, understanding, and open work environment that nurtures and affirms unique identities.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/counseling/services/

Multicultural Center
Diversity Education programs are interactive presentations and activities designed to educate students on various diversity topics. These programs are delivered in the form of presentations, activities and dialogues; students who attend will become more culturally competent members of the UT Dallas community.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/multicultural/programs-and-services/diversity-education/

=========Underrepresented Faculty/Staff Groups=========
Counseling is offered through the Employee Assistance program. Peer support is also available through University Resource Groups (also known as affiliate groups): Latino Faculty and Staff Association, the Black Faculty and Staff Alliance, the Military and Veteran Association, QuTD, UT Dallas Women.

Black Faculty and Staff Alliance
The mission of the Black Faculty and Staff Alliance is to advance a diverse and inclusive work environment with a particular focus on African-American current and future employees and students. And to attract, retain, empower and inspire African-American employees. These Efforts are geared toward helping African-American faculty and staff members achieve their fullest potential across the spectrum of professional development and employment
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/diversity/ERGs/resourceGroups.html

Military and Veteran ERG
The purpose of the Military and Veteran ERG is to foster a military/veteran-friendly environment at UT Dallas, facilitate a network of UT Dallas employees that share an interest in the military community, provide information to employees regarding resources for the military and veteran community., support UT Dallas employees that serve in the military and their family members during service member’s deployment, and enhance recruitment of candidates with military experience.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/diversity/ERGs/resourceGroups.html

Latino Faculty and Staff Association at UT Dallas
The purpose of the Latino Faculty and Staff Association at UT Dallas is to develop activities and initiatives that support the following four goals:
Showcase the contributions of Latino faculty and staff at the University, advocate for the recruitment of additional Latino faculty and staff, and for policies that support increased diversity and inclusion at the University, provide opportunities for outreach and networking among the Latino faculty and staff, and identify professional development opportunities for the Association’s members.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/diversity/ERGs/resourceGroups.html

QuTD
QuTD advances the educational mission of the University of Texas at Dallas by cultivating a safe and inclusive environment that values, celebrates and affirms the sexual and gender diversity of UT Dallas faculty and staff members. We strive to increase visibility and to encourage meaningful involvement of LGBTQ+ and allied staff and faculty within the campus community as well as to advocate workplace equity and to promote educational growth in a climate of mutual respect.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/diversity/ERGs/resourceGroups.html

UT Dallas Women ERG
The UT Dallas Women Employee Resource Group works to facilitate an environment of advocacy and belonging where women employees can flourish while advancing the mission of UTD. The mission of the UT Dallas Women ERG is to: develop awareness of contributions of women to UTD, provide and support programs that contribute to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women at UTD, serve as a safe networking and communications channel for women employees of UTD, serve as a voice and to advocate for women issues on campus and in the community.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/diversity/ERGs/resourceGroups.html

Department of Faculty Diversity
The Department of Faculty Diversity is responsible for supporting the recruitment, retention and promotion of underrepresented minority faculty at UT Dallas with an aim to improve the climate and networking among University faculty. The department creates programs to help tap the pipeline of qualified minority candidates and works closely with other departments, deans, search committees and the Provost's Office. The department supports a campus-wide faculty mentoring program in close collaboration with the Galerstein Gender Center, the faculty mentoring committee and the associate provost for faculty development.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/diversity/departments/

====Other===
Faculty / Staff / Student Multicultural Training and Awareness Seminars
Community of Respect Program
Set a foundation and set the tone for more effective and successful communication across American inter-ethnic and international communities helping them to understand their interactions with each other. The program focuses on how other cultures (within the U.S. and internationally process information, create relationships and communicate, preparing individuals form a wide range of professions to understand how to best work with all kinds of people.The participants gain a better understanding of culture, cultural values and how and why we judge the behaviors of others, define new vocabulary and concepts about effective communication across cultures, identify the most challenging stumbling blocks or barriers to communication across cultures, identify the broad spectrum of cultural behaviors and what drives those behaviors, identify cross cultural perspectives that impact the communication process, identify verbal and non-verbal communication techniques and how they can be misunderstood, and pply gained understanding to case studies
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/diversity/departments/institutional-diversity/training.html

The University of Texas System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program

Goal of this program:
The LSAMP Program assists universities and colleges in diversifying the STEM workforce through their efforts at significantly increasing the numbers of students successfully completing high quality degree programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Particular emphasis is placed on transforming STEM education through innovative recruitment and retention strategies and experiences in support of groups historically under-represented in STEM discipline: African-Americans, Alaskan Natives, American Indians, Hispanic Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders. The knowledge generation portfolio of LSAMP supported activities contributes to the body of literature on successful practices in student recruitment, retention, persistence, and attainment of STEM undergraduate and graduate degrees, especially for the previously mentioned populations underrepresented in STEM disciplines.

The Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program provides funding for:
-Alliances (New, Mid-Level, Senior-Level, B2B)
-Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) Activity
-Broadening Participation Research (BPR) in STEM Education

LSAMP baccalaureate degree recipients are eligible for continued support for up to two additional years of STEM post baccalaureate study through the Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) Activity. BD participants are expected to transition through graduate studies and into the professoriate and/or STEM workforce. The Broadening Participation Research (BPR) in STEM Education track provides support for knowledge generation research projects that seek to create and study new theory-driven models and innovations related to the participation and success of diverse groups in STEM undergraduate education. BPR projects add new research-based strategies and models to broadening participation in STEM and increase the capacity of scholars to conduct this type of research.

The Bridge to the Doctorate Fellowship (BD)
Senior-level LSAMP alliances are eligible for Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) support. BD funding provides eligible students with financial support for two (2) years of doctoral study. The program gives the opportunity to encourage students who might not have considered pursuing a doctoral degree to achieve this success. It has also given the opportunity to experiment with novel ways to promote graduate education and to increase the efficacy of existing activities.

National LSAMP alumni are eligible for support for up to two (2) additional years of STEM doctoral study through the Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) project. BD participants are expected to transition through doctoral studies and into the professoriate and/or STEM workforce.

The NSF contribution to graduate student stipends is $64,000 over two (2) years for each of 12 students. The NSF will provide a cost-of-education allowance to the institution for tuition, health insurance, and other normal fees up to $10,500 per year for up to two (2) years for each of 12 students.

Link of Program: http://engineering.utep.edu/lsamp/aboutus.html
Link with UT Dallas: https://www.utdallas.edu/news/students/bridge-doctorate-2019/

Faculty Mentor Program
There are a number of programs which support underrepresented students for careers as faculty members. The Faculty Mentor program provides research opportunities, opportunities to attend academic conferences and opportunities to teach for graduate and undergraduate students. Additionally, The Office of Graduate Education collaborates with other campus departments to provide programming and resources designed to help students of diverse backgrounds develop an individualized plan of study, a focus on career exploration, skill development, relationship building, leadership, self-awareness and trend forecasting. Nearly every college, school and unit on campus including the Career Center which supports the career goals of all students.
Link: https://graduate.utdallas.edu/student_life/facultymentors/
Link: https://graduate.utdallas.edu/student_life/professional_development/
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/career/

UT Dallas Young Professionals
The Mission of the Young Professionals ERG is to be a strategic partner with UT Dallas to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion through collaboration. The purpose of the young professionals ERG is to foster an inclusive and collaborative environment at UT Dallas, facilitate a network of UT Dallas that share an interest in the professional development of young professionals, provide information to employees regarding resources and networking opportunities for young professionals, support new UT Dallas young professional employees through on boarding and connecting them to the UT Dallas community and increase the membership of young professionals at UT Dallas.
https://www.utdallas.edu/diversity/ERGs/resourceGroups.html