Valparaiso University
PA-6: Assessing Diversity and Equity
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Has the institution engaged in a structured assessment process during the previous three years to improve diversity, equity and inclusion on campus?:
Yes
A brief description of the assessment process and the framework, scorecard(s) and/or tool(s) used:
Between 2019-2020, 75 campus colleagues formed 13 Task Forces to create the Action Agenda on Racial Equity and Inclusion (“Action Agenda” henceforth). This is a living document that examines the racial injustice and other forms of oppression that directly impact the lives of our students, faculty, and staff. The Valpo “Action Agenda” lays out the strategic vision, action items, and specific efforts we are using for working toward a more equitable campus community.
In 2020 the university established its diversity statement. This statement would be the foundation of the University’s current Action Agenda for Promoting Racial Equity and Inclusion (2020).
The “Action Agenda” efforts touch on all parts of the university and all members of the university are included in promoting equity in student access to educational resources and opportunities. The “action agenda” seeks to improve equity in (1) Student Recruitment, Retention, and Academic Success, (2) Faculty and Staff Recruitment, Retention, and Success, (3) Diversification of the Curriculum and Promotion of Inclusive Programming (4) Community Engagement (5) University Leadership.
In 2019, the university worked with the Higher Education research institute of UCLA to conduct a climate assessment among all faculty and staff to provide baseline information on the university's racial climate. The survey will be repeated in 2024
In 2020 the university established its diversity statement. This statement would be the foundation of the University’s current Action Agenda for Promoting Racial Equity and Inclusion (2020).
The “Action Agenda” efforts touch on all parts of the university and all members of the university are included in promoting equity in student access to educational resources and opportunities. The “action agenda” seeks to improve equity in (1) Student Recruitment, Retention, and Academic Success, (2) Faculty and Staff Recruitment, Retention, and Success, (3) Diversification of the Curriculum and Promotion of Inclusive Programming (4) Community Engagement (5) University Leadership.
In 2019, the university worked with the Higher Education research institute of UCLA to conduct a climate assessment among all faculty and staff to provide baseline information on the university's racial climate. The survey will be repeated in 2024
Does the assessment process address campus climate by engaging stakeholders to assess the attitudes, perceptions and behaviors of employees and students, including the experiences of underrepresented groups?:
Yes
Does the assessment process address student outcomes related to diversity, equity and success?:
Yes
Does the assessment process address employee outcomes related to diversity and equity?:
Yes
A brief description of the most recent assessment findings and how the results are used in shaping policy, programs, and initiatives:
The different assessment results prompted changes underlined in the Action Agenda that we describe below:
Agenda Item 1. Student Recruitment, Retention, and Academic Success
Action Step 1.1.a. Implement intercultural competency educational development series (Low Cost)
Action Step 1.1.b. Continue participation in the short- and long-term review process for the discontinuance of standardized testing (No Cost)
Action Step 1.2.a. Discussion on the need for and potential location of a safe space for historically underrepresented students to process experiences both on and off campus (Low Cost)
Agenda Item 2. Faculty and Staff Recruitment, Retention, and Success
Action Step 2.3.a. Create annual cohort models for all junior faculty to support them through the tenure track process, with additional attention paid to the experiences and barriers of historically underrepresented faculty (Low Cost)
Agenda Item 3. Diversification of the Curriculum and Promotion of Inclusive Programming
Action Step 3.1.b. Assessment of historically underrepresented academics, scholars, authors, and scientists, having an intellectual presence in curriculum development (Low Cost)
Agenda Item 4. Community Engagement
Action Step 4.1.a. Review of policing model, philosophy, and protocols (Low Cost)
Action Step 4.1.c. Coordination, community engagement, and outreach programs (Low Cost)
Action Step 4.4.b. Increase communication from the Town Gown committee to campus constituents (No Cost)
Agenda Item 1. Student Recruitment, Retention, and Academic Success
Action Step 1.1.a. Implement intercultural competency educational development series (Low Cost)
Action Step 1.1.b. Continue participation in the short- and long-term review process for the discontinuance of standardized testing (No Cost)
Action Step 1.2.a. Discussion on the need for and potential location of a safe space for historically underrepresented students to process experiences both on and off campus (Low Cost)
Agenda Item 2. Faculty and Staff Recruitment, Retention, and Success
Action Step 2.3.a. Create annual cohort models for all junior faculty to support them through the tenure track process, with additional attention paid to the experiences and barriers of historically underrepresented faculty (Low Cost)
Agenda Item 3. Diversification of the Curriculum and Promotion of Inclusive Programming
Action Step 3.1.b. Assessment of historically underrepresented academics, scholars, authors, and scientists, having an intellectual presence in curriculum development (Low Cost)
Agenda Item 4. Community Engagement
Action Step 4.1.a. Review of policing model, philosophy, and protocols (Low Cost)
Action Step 4.1.c. Coordination, community engagement, and outreach programs (Low Cost)
Action Step 4.4.b. Increase communication from the Town Gown committee to campus constituents (No Cost)
Are the results of the most recent structured diversity and equity assessment shared with the campus community?:
Yes
A brief description of how the assessment results are shared with the campus community:
The climate survey was presented to the campus on 2020
the Action Agenda is published on the VU website
Reports on each Action Agenda Item development are updated on the Action Agenda website: https://www.valpo.edu/actionagenda/
The climate survey was presented to the campus in 2020 and each action step is updated according to the latest events in the Action Agenda Website
the Action Agenda is published on the VU website
Reports on each Action Agenda Item development are updated on the Action Agenda website: https://www.valpo.edu/actionagenda/
The climate survey was presented to the campus in 2020 and each action step is updated according to the latest events in the Action Agenda Website
Are the results (or a summary of the results) of the most recent structured diversity and equity assessment publicly posted?:
Yes
The diversity and equity assessment report or summary (upload):
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Website URL where the diversity and equity assessment report or summary is publicly posted:
Optional Fields
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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.