1 - SUNY Guide -Strategic Diversity Plan Development 3-16

Creating a Campus Diversity and Inclusion Vision/Mission Statement

A diversity vision statement can reflect the thrust of the college and its belief in diversity as a valuable part of the educational experience Since its founding days in 1948, the State

The University of New York is dedicated to delivering top-quality educational services that ensure broad access and representation across all population segments Emphasizing diversity and inclusion, these mission statements highlight the significance of fostering an inclusive environment for the diverse communities served by institutions When prominently displayed, such statements convey a powerful message of commitment to inclusive excellence within the campus community.

Campuses can begin this work by asking:

 What are the goals you hope to achieve and the challenges you face in achieving them? 3

 What are the diversity‐related concerns you are trying to address at your institution through this statement? 4

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is central to our values, and we want to convey a message of openness and acceptance to current and prospective students, faculty, staff, and the local community We believe that a diverse environment fosters creativity, innovation, and a sense of belonging, enriching the educational experience for everyone By promoting inclusivity, we aim to create a supportive atmosphere where all voices are heard and respected, ultimately strengthening our community and enhancing learning outcomes for all.

 How does the campus diversity vision statement intersect with the goals of inclusion and diversity your campus hopes to achieve relative to the Policy?

The Policy broadly defines diversity to encompass various aspects such as race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, age, socioeconomic status, veteran status, disability status, students undergoing transition, and first-generation students Additionally, it incorporates concepts from the 2007 edition of Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice, including multiculturalism, inclusivity, cultural competence, social justice, and the importance of campus allies.

When developing a campus diversity mission or vision statement, institutions should focus on their commitment to fostering a diverse society, emphasizing the importance of teaching, research, and service, while striving for inclusive excellence.

Among the many such university statements that are available, several notable vision statements are incorporated in Appendix A

2 SUNY (2015) SUNY Mission Statement https://www.suny.edu/about/mission/

3 Hurtado, S (2015) HERI Pre‐Institute Survey UCLA Higher Education Research Institute on Diversity June, 2015

Assessment of Current Campus Diversity

Each SUNY campus is unique in size, location, population, and resources, leading to diverse campus plans tailored to the specific needs and perspectives of the campus community A thorough and honest assessment is essential for developing effective inclusion measures that support both the campus and its surrounding community.

This section of the diversity plan allows campuses to summarize the outcomes and impacts of existing strategic initiatives, programs, and events focused on diversity and inclusion It presents an opportunity to enhance current assets and innovations that align with strategic priorities related to diversity Campuses should evaluate how their ongoing efforts correspond with SUNY’s overarching Diversity Policy Additionally, a thorough assessment of current diversity initiatives, along with an honest evaluation of unmet needs in recruitment, retention, and campus climate, is essential for fostering an inclusive environment.

 Current demographics of the campus population for students, faculty and staff;

 Projected demographics of campus population for students;

 Projected faculty and staff openings due to retirements;

 Known outcomes for recruitment and retention of diverse faculty and staff overall and at the departmental/office level; changes in that data over time;

 Retention and completion data for underserved student populations; has the achievement gap increased or decreased over time?

 What data do we not currently collect that we should be collecting?

The effectiveness of current campus activities focused on diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion is crucial for fostering an inclusive environment It is important to assess whether these efforts are well-coordinated and if the same group of individuals consistently leads and participates in them Additionally, evaluating whether each initiative includes an assessment component can provide insights into their impact and areas for improvement.

 Campus investments in training on social justice, cultural competency and diversity;

 Emerging student, faculty, and staff diversity issues and concerns;

 Recognition of who has taken a leadership role in diversity efforts; are all faculty engaged? which departments have instituted best practices?;

 Has there been a review of campus communications (promotional material, websites, regular correspondence, surveys, etc.) to ensure that they are free of bias?;

 Are there campus policies and practices to support the needs of diverse students (e.g., bathroom and locker‐room facilities for transgender students, faculty and staff)?;

 Is there an understanding of student, faculty and staff opinions regarding the campus environment—do they feel welcome, that their views and opinions and lifestyle are respected?;

Trending concerns among underrepresented groups, such as LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, non-traditional students, and graduate students, highlight the need for inclusive policies and support systems These groups often face unique challenges that require tailored solutions, emphasizing the importance of understanding their specific needs It is essential to identify who is responsible for addressing these issues, ensuring accountability and effective advocacy within educational and social institutions By fostering an environment that prioritizes diverse perspectives, we can promote equity and enhance the overall experience for all constituents.

 Current placement/reporting structure/scope of responsibilities of individuals responsible for diversity activities;

 Current efforts relative to Policy priorities; and

 Emergency planning efforts; do current practices and policies address crises related to diversity and inclusiveness?

Ideally, challenges uncovered as part of the in‐depth review that takes place here can be addressed through your diversity plan goals and strategies

Overcoming barriers within the campus community is essential for enhancing diversity and inclusion programs Engaging community partners can help broaden the scope of these initiatives and provide additional resources during times of crisis.

Engaging the public in discussions about diversity is essential for fostering recognition of its importance in a multicultural society Establishing a campus-based diversity council can facilitate meaningful conversations and relationships, aiding in the development of diversity initiatives and the achievement of strategic objectives.

Diversity & Inclusion Goals

Campuses can establish both short-term and long-term objectives aimed at fostering an inclusive environment that embraces cultural and individual diversity, serving as a foundation for creativity, innovation, and academic excellence.

Each campus has distinct needs that influence its plan priorities, in addition to the overarching Policy priorities outlined in Section IV A thorough review of the assessment detailed in Section II will ideally clarify these unique requirements.

Leveraging institutional data enables campuses to establish goals that positively influence faculty and staff demographics, enhance retention and completion rates for both undergraduate and graduate students, and improve campus climate and community relations.

Examples of goals aligned with the Policy, provided here as a resource, might include:

1 Improve the campus climate for all students, faculty and staff by addressing identified challenges;

2 Expand and enhance campus diversity and inclusion programming to ensure broad participation;

3 Achieve a balance of representation in faculty, staff and student ranks consistent with Policy goals;

4 Create extended community partnerships to support the needs of diverse students and to serve as resources in times of crises;

5 Increase collaboration and communication across various diversity and inclusion efforts;

6 Establish a diversity council with broad and deep representation;

7 Strengthen data collection relative to diversity and inclusion consistent with the broadest definition of the term;

8 Ensure that the campus commitment to diversity is clear, transparent, and evident at the highest levels of and across the institution (related responsibilities are recognized and prioritized);

9 Ensure that diversity planning has institutional credibility;

10 CDO and diversity staff will be included in key planning activities regarding major campus responsibilities, functions and initiatives;

11 Establish a transition program for transfer students, international students and students who have stopped out;

12 Actively participate in and contribute to System Administration‐led diversity and inclusion efforts outlined in the Policy; and

13 Engage diverse alumni in current activities, recruitment and capital campaigns to help fund non‐traditional students from underrepresented student populations.

Assessment and Evaluation

much detail as needed reflecting the work of departments, divisions or programs in the college

Going forward, analyze the success or limitations the campus experienced in implementing its diversity plan and identify adjustments to improve future performance and goal attainment.

Summative Statement

I Creating a Campus Diversity and Inclusion Vision/Mission Statement

A diversity vision statement can reflect the thrust of the college and its belief in diversity as a valuable part of the educational experience Since its founding days in 1948, the State

The University of New York is dedicated to delivering high-quality educational services that are accessible to all segments of the population Emphasizing diversity and inclusion, the institution recognizes the significance of fostering an inclusive environment for its diverse community Visible mission statements on diversity not only highlight this commitment but also convey a powerful message of inclusive excellence to the entire campus community.

Campuses can begin this work by asking:

 What are the goals you hope to achieve and the challenges you face in achieving them? 3

 What are the diversity‐related concerns you are trying to address at your institution through this statement? 4

We are deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within our community, ensuring that every individual feels valued and respected Our message to current and prospective students, faculty, and staff is clear: we celebrate differences and strive to create an environment where everyone can thrive We aim to build a welcoming atmosphere that reflects the rich diversity of our local community, promoting understanding and collaboration among all members.

 How does the campus diversity vision statement intersect with the goals of inclusion and diversity your campus hopes to achieve relative to the Policy?

The Policy broadly defines diversity to encompass various aspects such as race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, age, socioeconomic status, veteran status, disability, transitioning students, and first-generation students Additionally, it incorporates concepts from the 2007 edition of Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice, which include multiculturalism, inclusivity, cultural competence, social justice, and the importance of campus allies.

When developing a campus diversity mission or vision statement, institutions should align their objectives with the principles of a diverse society, while also considering the significance of teaching, research, and service in fostering inclusive excellence.

Among the many such university statements that are available, several notable vision statements are incorporated in Appendix A

2 SUNY (2015) SUNY Mission Statement https://www.suny.edu/about/mission/

3 Hurtado, S (2015) HERI Pre‐Institute Survey UCLA Higher Education Research Institute on Diversity June, 2015

II Assessment of Current Campus Diversity

Each SUNY campus has unique characteristics such as size, location, and resources, leading to diverse campus plans based on an assessment of community perspectives and needs A thorough and honest evaluation is essential for developing effective inclusion measures that benefit both the campus and its surrounding community.

In this section of the diversity plan, campuses should provide an overview of the outcomes and impacts of existing strategic initiatives, programs, and events focused on diversity and inclusion There may be opportunities to enhance current assets and innovations that align with diversity as part of strategic priorities Additionally, campuses should evaluate how these efforts correspond with SUNY’s overarching Diversity Policy By assessing current initiatives and identifying unmet needs in recruitment, retention, and campus climate, institutions can better align their diversity strategies with institutional goals.

 Current demographics of the campus population for students, faculty and staff;

 Projected demographics of campus population for students;

 Projected faculty and staff openings due to retirements;

 Known outcomes for recruitment and retention of diverse faculty and staff overall and at the departmental/office level; changes in that data over time;

 Retention and completion data for underserved student populations; has the achievement gap increased or decreased over time?

 What data do we not currently collect that we should be collecting?

The effectiveness of current campus activities focused on diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion is crucial for fostering an inclusive environment It is important to evaluate whether these efforts are well-coordinated and if the same groups of individuals consistently lead and participate in them Additionally, assessing each initiative's impact is essential to ensure continuous improvement and engagement within the campus community.

 Campus investments in training on social justice, cultural competency and diversity;

 Emerging student, faculty, and staff diversity issues and concerns;

 Recognition of who has taken a leadership role in diversity efforts; are all faculty engaged? which departments have instituted best practices?;

 Has there been a review of campus communications (promotional material, websites, regular correspondence, surveys, etc.) to ensure that they are free of bias?;

 Are there campus policies and practices to support the needs of diverse students (e.g., bathroom and locker‐room facilities for transgender students, faculty and staff)?;

 Is there an understanding of student, faculty and staff opinions regarding the campus environment—do they feel welcome, that their views and opinions and lifestyle are respected?;

Underrepresented groups, such as LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, non-traditional students, and graduate students, face a range of pressing concerns that demand attention These groups often encounter unique challenges related to inclusion, access to resources, and representation in decision-making processes It is essential to identify the stakeholders responsible for addressing these issues, ensuring that their voices are heard and integrated into institutional policies By fostering an environment of understanding and support, we can work towards equitable solutions that acknowledge and address the diverse needs of these communities.

 Current placement/reporting structure/scope of responsibilities of individuals responsible for diversity activities;

 Current efforts relative to Policy priorities; and

 Emergency planning efforts; do current practices and policies address crises related to diversity and inclusiveness?

Ideally, challenges uncovered as part of the in‐depth review that takes place here can be addressed through your diversity plan goals and strategies

Overcoming barriers within the campus community presents significant challenges A key diversity goal involves engaging community partners to enhance college diversity and inclusion programs while also identifying essential resources during crises.

Engaging the public in discussions about diversity is essential for enhancing awareness and appreciation of its importance in a multicultural society Establishing a campus-based diversity council can facilitate meaningful conversations and foster relationships that support diversity initiatives and promote strategic objectives.

Campuses can pursue both short-term and long-term objectives that foster an inclusive environment, celebrating cultural and individual diversity as a foundation for creativity, innovation, and academic excellence.

Each campus may have distinct needs that influence their plan's priorities, in addition to the overarching Policy priorities outlined in Section IV A thorough review of the assessment detailed in Section II will ideally clarify these unique requirements.

By leveraging institutional data, campuses can establish objectives to influence faculty and staff diversity, boost retention and graduation rates for both undergraduate and graduate students, and improve the overall campus climate and community relationships.