The University of Texas at Dallas
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Gary
Cocke Sustainability Director Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have a publicly posted non-discrimination statement? :
The non-discrimination statement, including the website URL where the policy is publicly accessible:
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, gender expression national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.
Website URL:
Non-discrimination Policy Statement
Does the institution have a discrimination response protocol or committee (sometimes called a bias response team)?:
A brief description of the institution’s discrimination response protocol or team:
The Nondiscrimination Policy Statement listed above applies to visitors, applicants for admission to or employment with the University, and students and employees of the university who allege discrimination by university employees, students, visitors, or contractors. Complaints of full-time faculty who are notified that they will not be reappointed, or that the subsequent academic year will be their terminal appointment, and who contend that such decisions were made for unlawfully discriminatory reasons will be referred to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost for handling pursuant to the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System.
General procedures for preventing and supporting those who have experienced discrimination along with disciplinary action to remedy the situation include the following:
Training procedures required for all employees
Reporting of incidents
Reporting responsibility of every supervisor, administrator, and university official
Informal or formal resolution processes
Aditional information detailing the processes can be found at: https://policy.utdallas.edu/utdbp3090
Community Standards and Conduct, Behavior Assessment and Intervention Team (BAIT)
The purpose of the Behavior Assessment and Intervention Team at UTD, known as BAIT, is to review behavioral incidents and 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.
Specifically, the team:
Assesses situations involving a student whose behavior may be disruptive or harmful to the UT Dallas community.
Consults with administration, faculty, staff and other students affected by the inappropriate behaviors of a disruptive student.
Coordinates the University response to address the situation.
Monitors the cases that have come to the attention of the BAIT.
Makes recommendations to responsible University officials about appropriate action consistent with University policy and procedure statements, and with state and federal law.
Confidentiality: BAIT records are confidential and will not be released except in accordance with applicable legal and professional standards of confidentiality, including the Texas Public Information Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). FERPA does allow the release of student education records in accordance with health and safety emergencies when release is necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or other individuals.
Link: https://www.utdallas.edu/conduct/bait/
Student, Staff, and Faculty are supported during bias incidents, discrimination, or hate crimes through the following resources:
Student Counciling Center
AccessAbility Resource Center
Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Title IX Office
https://odei.utdallas.edu/i-need-support/
UT Dallas also has a bystander intervention program named Comet Voice: All members of our University community share in a collective responsibility to make our campus peers feel welcome, safe and comfortable. The goal of Comet Voice, the bystander intervention initiative of UT Dallas, is to empower students with the confidence and skills to stand up and step in when needed.https://cometvoice.utdallas.edu/
Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit students from underrepresented groups?:
Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit academic staff from underrepresented groups?:
Does the institution have programs designed specifically to recruit non-academic staff from underrepresented groups?:
A brief description of the institution’s programs to recruit students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups:
*Support for Recruiting Underrepresent Students*
The Office of the President and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion created the Diversity Scholars Program in 2010-2011 to increase the diversity of students enrolling at UT Dallas. The scholarship targets students who have a record of academic excellence in high school or community college and show significant financial need.
Link: https://community.utdallas.edu/diversity-scholars-program/
The Douglas Aundre Peterson Fund For Homeless Students is an endowed fund established in honor of Douglas Aundre Peterson to support vulnerable students in need or homeless. The fund was established in 2018 by Rosie Peterson, director of institutional diversity initiatives in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, in honor of her son, Douglas. The funds are administered by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Link: https://community.utdallas.edu/scholarships/peterson-fund/
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://community.utdallas.edu/school-and-community-outreach/g-force-mentor-program/
The Academic Bridge program (ABP) is geared toward high performing students who didn’t receive a university-track curriculum. High school students who are selected for ABP begin their college career at UT Dallas during the summer following their high school graduation. Established in 2000, ABP serves approximately 160 students each year. Most come from urban neighborhoods in the Dallas area and are the first in their families to attend college.
Link: https://is.utdallas.edu/academic-bridge-program/about/
College Preparation Programs ( used in 2019, need to revise)
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/
*Support for Recruiting Underrepresented Staff*
The Office of Human Resources works with departments to develop a recruitment plan for staff and the Provost’s Office works with academic units to develop recruitment plans for faculty. These include posting positions through various academic, professional, and career related websites and online web platforms. In fall 2022, UT Dallas entered into an agreement with Academic Impressions to post faculty and staff positions on HireEd.com, an online tool to connect institutions of higher education to candidates from historically marginalized identities. UT Dallas also recently received a National Science Foundation ADVANCE grant to recruit and retain more women tenure-track faculty in STEM fields. The UT Dallas project called Adapting, Successful Practices to foster an Inclusive, Respectful, and Equitable Environment (ASPIRE2) includes a $1 million, three-year award. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion along with the Provost’s Office and Institutional Compliance, Equity, and Title IX Initiatives have developed new hiring tools to address equity challenges in faculty hiring that will be deployed beginning in fall 2022. These include revised faculty position announcements, evaluation rubrics for selection, inclusive hiring training for search committees, and questions for candidate
Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support, academic support, or other programs designed specifically to support students from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs designed specifically to support academic staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs to support non-academic staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
A brief description of the institution’s programs designed specifically to support students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups:
Galerstein Gender Center
The GGC Equity Excellence Program charts the progression and growth of UT Dallas students, staff, and faculty by recognizing their contribution and commitment to gender equity through participation in GGC events and programs. By attending at least one event from each of the five categories, contributors will receive a certificate of commitment to gender equity.
Link: https://gendercenter.utdallas.edu/programs/gender-equity-excellence-program/
Employee Resource Groups
UT Dallas established Employee Resources Groups (ERGs) in 2016 with the intention of supporting a more inclusive cultural and climate at the university and to provide professional development to the university’s faculty and staff. Currently there are eight ERGs that have been charted including: (a) Military and Veteran ERG; (b) QuTD; (c) Black Faculty and Staff Alliance ERG; (d) UT Dallas Young Professionals; (e) UT Dallas Women’s ERG; (f) Latino Faculty and Staff Association; (g) Universal Access ERG; and (h) UT Dallas Counseling and Advising Network. The ERGs receive financial support annually from the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
https://diversity.utdallas.edu/ergs/about-ergs/
Multicultural Center
The UT Dallas Multicultural Center provides cultural programs, education resources, and support for the campus’ diverse students, faculty, and staff. The programs in the Multicultural Center include diversity education programs, cultural celebrations, and opportunities for faculty and staff to engage with students from historically marginalized identities
https://multicultural.utdallas.edu/
Latino Faculty and Staff Association
The mission of the Latino Faculty and Staff Association (LFSA) at UT Dallas is to build community among the Latino faculty and staff at the university by empowering employees at all levels to network, advance personally and professionally, and to foster an inclusive workplace.
The Department of Community Engagement hosts college preparation programs throughout the year for middle and high school students. The Department assists prospective students with college preparation and enrollment, conducts outreach to students who have been admitted to the University, provides informational presentations in the community about UT Dallas, facilitates campus visits to promote UT Dallas at designated schools, and participates in admissions and financial aid nights in the community.
Link: https://community.utdallas.edu/college-preparation-programs/
The services provided at the Student Counseling Center can be a useful tool in creating and maintaining your sense of health and overall well-being. We provide a safe, affirming and non-judgmental environment in which you can openly explore your concerns. The Student Counseling center utilizes a short-term model, and our services are goal-focused and brief. Our services focus on resources, solutions and strategies to deal with your concerns.
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?:
A brief description of the institution’s programs to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members:
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/
Does the institution produce a publicly accessible inventory of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus?:
Does the institution offer housing options to accommodate the special needs of transgender and transitioning students?:
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:
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.