Diversity CommitteeAnnual Report
USI Board of Trustees
April 26, 2019
Diversity Committee Objectives• Define the University’s vision of diversity and recommend
methods to integrate that vision with existing University policies and procedures;
• Collect information on University programs and initiatives and community resources;
• Review University employment policies and processes and recommend improvements intended to increase hiring of diverse candidates;
• Review University complaint policies and processes concerning diversity issues and recommend improvements;
Diversity Committee Objectives• Review University programs and processes, developing
recommendations as appropriate for improvements to existing programs and processes and for new programs and initiatives that promote recruitment and retention of diverse students, faculty, and staff;
• Recommend methods that increase awareness of the University’s commitment to diversity;
• Assess University diversity training and communications needs and make recommendations;
• Develop methods to assess the University’s diversity efforts; and• Provide Annual Reports to the University’s Board of Trustees.
UPDATE ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRESS
Domestic Minority and International Enrollment
10.0% 10.6% 10.9% 11.9% 12.5%
2.4% 2.4% 2.3% 2.3%2.2%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Domestic Minority Students International Students
First to Second Year Retention
64.4%
61.8% 62.4%
67.5% 68.0%
71.9%70.6% 69.8% 70.3%
71.2%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Domestic Minority Students All Students
Four-Year Graduation Rates
5.4%
10.7%
16.7% 18.3%
24.9%
18.2%20.0%
26.1%
30.5%
35.0%
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Domestic Minority Students All Students
Staff and Faculty
• 8.6% minority since 2014
• 61% female since 2012
Faculty Diversity
8.8% 8.1%9.9% 9.3% 10.0%
1.6% 1.8%0.0% 2.2% 2.0%
0%
5%
10%
15%
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Domestic Minority Faculty International Faculty
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
Target Audiences
– USI students
– USI faculty and staff
– The homeless
– Veterans
– Low income residents
– Elderly
– LGBTQ+
– Physically challenged individuals
– Mentally challenged individuals
– K-12 students
– Other vulnerable populations
Types of Events/Activities
• Health fairs
• Workshops
• Lectures / Panel discussions
• Field trips
• Training
• Conferences
• In the classroom as part of academic curriculum
• Housing and Residence Life programming
Highlights – For Students
• Culture Night events with food and discussion – 16 different countries
• 6th Spiritual Diversity Project – Interfaith discussion during Welcome Week
• Breaking Barriers – American Sign-Language courses
• Lunes De Latinos – monthly USI tours for prospective students in Spanish
• Culture is NOT a Costume discussion
• Diversity Dance – dance instruction from cultures around the world
• Understanding Disabilities/Disability Etiquette/Handicap This -discussions
Highlights – For Faculty and Staff
• Annual Wellness Fair
• Tri-State Safe Zone Training for LGBTQ+ advocates
• AAC&U Beyond Diversity Webinar: Confronting Racism and other
Obstacles to Equity and Justice on Campus
• Cracking the Code – a conversation about race
• International Food Expo
• WOCA – Women of Color in the Academy
Highlights - Community
• Martin Luther King Jr Celebration
• 6th annual Veterans Administration (VA) Mental Health Summit
• Swi-STEM Girls Only (GO) STEM! Summer Camp
• Oral Health presentations at K-12 schools and other groups
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
• 6th annual Homeless Symposium
• Engage Minority, Veteran, Disadvantaged and Women-owned businesses to provide goods and services to USI
“Building Community by Celebrating Diversity, Engagement and Service”
President Rochon’s recent and upcoming initiatives:
• Focus groups with students of color
• Focus groups with alumni of color
• Strong Start Summer Bridge Program
• EDIC – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council
• Campus Climate Survey
Questions?