Climate and Diversity Committee Report 10.28.13

The Subcommittee on Climate and Diversity met with Lynne Bond on October 16, 2013. At that time we reviewed suggestions from Dean Cepeda-Benito to address the topic of Climate and Diversity as it relates to the creation of the College’s Strategic Action Plan.  The committee agreed to begin by reviewing a list of all existing college and university diversity related programs, initiatives and resources. We will also be reviewing the 2012 CAS Commitment to Diversity Report and the 2011 UVM Campus Climate Survey. Committee members agreed to conduct research on diversity programs and initiatives at peer and aspirant colleges and universities. In addition to the peer and aspirant institutions, some committee members will research institutions of their choice that share our similar demographics. Since the October 16th meeting, we learned that Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant, Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs recently provided a report to the University’s Board of Directors. In that report she indicates current diversity initiatives and a university wide diversity plan titled Inclusive Excellence at The University of Vermont: A Framework for Building a More Diverse, Inclusive and Multiculturally Competent Campus. Tenets and principles of  “inclusive excellence” for the plan are outlined by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. The committee has access to two documents created by this body: “Toward a Model of Excellence and Change in Postsecondary Institutions” and “Making Excellence Inclusive.” Committee members can also refer to two other documents created by The American Council on Education that provide measures to support an inclusive campus climate: “Gender Equity in Higher Education” and “A Matter of Excellence: A Guide to Strategic Diversity Leadership and Accountability in Higher Education.” At our next meeting we will share findings and discuss groups on campus that we feel will be valuable to meet with. By doing so we can delve deeper into current campus climate issues toward the goal of assessing where we are succeeding and determining recommendations for progress. The next committee meeting will take place on November 6, 2013.

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