| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 55.44 |
| Liaison | Bradley Flamm |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2022 |
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
PA-5: Diversity and Equity Coordination
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.56 / 2.00 |
Bradley
Flamm Director of Sustainability Office of the President |
Does the institution have a diversity and equity committee, office, and/or officer tasked by the administration or governing body to advise on and implement policies, programs, and trainings related to diversity, equity, inclusion and human rights?:
Does the committee, office and/or officer focus on students, employees, or both?:
A brief description of the diversity and equity committee, office and/or officer, including purview and activities:
Mission:
The Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion provides leadership and expertise to West Chester University to advance its commitment to the principles of inclusivity, service, and academic excellence. Through programmatic and educational initiatives, collaborative partnerships, and outreach we cultivate an environment that welcomes all.
Vision:
To become a national leader of inclusive excellence in higher education by leveraging internal and external partnerships.
Goals:
• Monitor and support a positive campus climate
• Provide educational opportunities and facilitate training that promote a greater understanding of identities, inequities, multiculturalism, inclusion and social justice
• Enhance and support campus efforts to increase access, retention and success of faculty, staff and students from underrepresented groups.
• Monitor and recommend policies that promote an equitable learning and working environments free from discrimination and harassment.
• Ensure compliance with Equal Employment/Educational Opportunity, Title IX and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through well-defined measures, procedures, data collection and analysis.
• Identify and advocate for resources which enhance institutional diversity initiatives across the university. The Americans with Disabilities Act Committee is a campus-wide group with the primary goal of promoting and advancing University policies and procedures that provide access to employment, services, and programs, which result in equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. The Campus Climate Intervention Team (CCIT) was established in the fall of 1991 to foster an institution-wide climate free from acts of intolerance or prejudice and to establish protocol for responding to and monitoring acts of intolerance should they occur. The Council for Diversity, Inclusion, & Academic Excellence was formed in fall 2013 through the WCU Strategic Plan, Building on Excellence. Its charge is to advocate for initiatives that facilitate the progress of diversity, equity and inclusion at West Chester and identify and challenge practices that hinder or create barriers in the University’s efforts to further advance (D&I) engagement, innovation and best practices. The LGBTQIA+ University Caucus promotes the equity, empowerment, and success of LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff by fostering a safe campus environment. The Multicultural Faculty Commission (MFC) was formed in June 2006 and functions as a constituency group for faculty of color. The MFC addresses unmet and incompletely met community-building needs and provides expanded support for a diverse and global faculty in such areas as scholarship and academic leadership. The President's Commission on the Status of Women promotes the enrichment and development of women, and raises the visibility of women's contributions while also promoting women's leadership.
Estimated proportion of students that has participated in cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
Estimated proportion of academic staff that has participated in cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
Estimated proportion of non-academic staff that has participated in cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
A brief description of the institution’s cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
In 2020, the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion launched a university-wide education program called the Institute for Cultural Competence and Inclusive Excellence, a personal and professional development certificate program available to all WCU students, faculty, and staff. The certificate program, referred to as “the Institute” herein, reflects WCU’s commitment to create a learning culture that values diversity, equity and inclusion. The Institute consists of a combination of training and education workshops, self-study readings, books, on-demand video presentations, and a capstone project. Participants develop cultural competencies and are offered the tools necessary for linking diversity and inclusion to organizational and work performance. Programs and workshops are offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters to provide a full range of required and elective workshops.
In addition, the Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI) offers educational and learning opportunities for all students, faculty and staff at West Chester University (WCU). In accordance with the University’s strategic plan, it is our intent to foster a campus environment that invites all community members to build upon their awareness, skills, and competencies related to diversity and inclusion topic areas. ODEI works collaboratively with campus partners to provide consultation, resources, and support toward the advancement and sustainability of a positive campus climate for all.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of some of the topic areas and learning opportunities that we provide:
Unconscious Bias
Race/Color
Ethnicity
Culture
Class
Sexuality
Gender
Microaggressions
Religion
Search Committee Orientations (Process, Recruitment & Hiring)
Disabilities
Bystander Intervention
Sexual Harassment Prevention
Website URL where information about the institution’s diversity and equity office or trainings is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Data Provided by: Tracey Ray Robinson, (trobinson@wcupa.edu) Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Data Entry: Lois Howell, 12-Jan-22
Data Provided by: Tracey Ray Robinson, (trobinson@wcupa.edu) Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Data Entry: Lois Howell, 12-Jan-22
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.