In Fall 2015, the University of Utah held an open forum, “Open Dialogue on Racial Climate,” to address relations with our students from underrepresented communities on campus. The result of that forum was the following 13 initiatives.
Diversity Education for Faculty and Staff
A campus-wide committee is working to develop diversity education for faculty and staff.
New Diverse Student Space in the Union
The Center for Ethnic Student Affairs has been given expanded space for students to gather and study in the Union.
Money for Diverse Student Groups
We have identified additional financial support for student equity and diversity groups in support of high school conferences and travel funding to enhance student development.
Faculty Hiring Initiative
In the fall of 2016 we were joined by 19 new faculty members and post-doctoral fellows from underrepresented backgrounds.In progress
Diverse Staff Hiring
This has been in the talking phase since the summer of 2015. The head of HR is on board to help develop.
Mentoring for Faculty and Staff
We have fostered a new faculty mentoring project, currently underway in the College of Humanities as a pilot effort.
Responding to Microaggressions
We have increased staff resources in the Office for Inclusive Excellence.
Student Diversity Council
The Student Diversity Council is comprised of representatives from each of our diverse student groups on campus.
Diversity-in-Progress Website
This site will help maintain vigilance and accountability as our efforts continue in the months and years ahead.
Diversity Coalition Group
The Diversity Coalition Group, which includes representatives from all major diversity groups on campus, is meeting on a regular basis.
Diversity Scholars into Honors College
CESA and Honors College are partnering to increase participation of underrepresented students in the Honors program.
$1 Million Endowment for American Indian Scholarship
With donor support, we have established new scholarship funding for Native American students.