Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 67.00
Liaison Cora Kenfield
Submission Date March 15, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Vassar College
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.89 / 2.00 Alistair Hall
Sustainability Assistant
Dean of Strategic Planning
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Does the institution have a diversity and equity committee, office, and/or officer tasked to advise on and implement policies, programs, and trainings related to diversity, equity, inclusion and human rights on campus?:
Yes

Does the committee, office and/or officer focus on students, employees, or both?:
Both students and employees

A brief description of the diversity and equity committee, office and/or officer, including purview and activities:

Committee on Inclusion and Excellence is a twenty-two member committee of students, faculty, and administrators, that formulates and proposes recommendations for institutional change with the goal of ensuring that all members of the student body can enjoy the fullest promise of a Vassar education


Estimated proportion of students that has participated in cultural competence trainings and activities (All, Most, Some, or None):
All

Estimated proportion of staff (including administrators) that has participated in cultural competence trainings and activities (All, Most, Some, or None):
Most

Estimated proportion of faculty that has participated in cultural competence trainings and activities (All, Most, Some, or None):
All

A brief description of the institution’s cultural competence trainings and activities for each of the groups identified above:

"The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action offers educational programs designed to ensure a safe environment for all members of the Vassar community. One such program, entitled Creating a Respectful Working and Learning Environment Free from Discrimination and Harassment, constituted a half-day workshop for all Vassar employees. Its purpose was to promote respectful approaches to conflict, develop cultural competence and communication skills and educate employees on the issue of sexual harassment. Held in 2006, the workshop enjoyed participation rates of 98% among administration and staff and 71% among faculty.

Since 2006, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action has focused on providing tailored trainings to particular departments and divisions of the college. The Office also offers an online training session on sexual harassment and continually provides cultural competence trainings to new faculty and language fellows.

Vassar has provided training and programming for the campus community for many years. All College Day each year includes 3 days of workshops on identity, community building activities, and a keynote lecture. In 2014 the theme was (Un)Silencing Voices, featuring a keynote by Janet Mock. “The Practice of Community” was the 2018 theme, featuring events and workshops throughout the campus. Lena Tenney, a nationally recognized expert in the field of implicit racial and ethnic bias, delivered the keynote address.

Since 2013, Freshmen Orientation has included an additional session in January called Unpacking Vassar. These 3 days of workshops for new students include sessions on identity, facilitation skills, and personal narratives."


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