Diversity continues to grow on university campuses nationwide, including at the University of Utah where students from underrepresented communities now make up nearly 36% of the student body. Additionally, new studies demonstrate how important institutional diversity is for prospective students; one new study of high school seniors found that among those considering college “a diverse student body was appealing to 42% of respondents and … 37% said that it was a must-have in their college experience.” But relying on diversity alone to address all the challenges we now face is a half-measure solution to a full-scale crisis.
“We must champion equity at every turn,” says Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Mary Ann Villareal, “and begin to align our programs, policies, and practices with our values.” As faculty, students, and the community served by the University of Utah continue to grow more diverse, the institution itself must evolve to create a more welcoming and supportive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Several new University of Utah initiatives and institutional divisions are preparing to meet the needs of this rapidly changing community.
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy Council (EDISC) was created and convened in 2021 with the goal of helping steer the university’s efforts to create a more equitable and inclusive campus environment. Leaders at the university understood that this work would need to be more than aspirational—it would need to include specific goals and actionable steps to ensure progress. The Executive Leadership Team of EDI (ELT/EDI) recently released the university’s strategic plan, which includes four priority areas for the entire campus:
Ensuring Belonging for All: this goal includes all efforts to “create a campus where everyone knows their authentic self is affirmed and supported in order to thrive at the University of Utah and beyond.”
Fostering an Inclusive Campus Climate: this area will require the regular assessment of “university policies, programs, and practices to ensure a culture that is equitable and inclusive of the diverse individuals represented throughout our community.”
Amplifying Community Engagement: in order to support our community, we must “actively cultivate internal and external community connections where trust is built, the effects of injustice are uprooted, and long-term and sustainable outcomes and relationships are developed.”
Securing Health Equity: this priority area emphasizes the development of “institutional policies, practices, and programs that eliminate health inequities and ensure all patients and clients achieve equitable health outcomes.”
Together, these priority areas reflect the university’s commitment to working toward equity and inclusion on our campus and in our state—and they should serve as a reminder of our values and a guide for our actions. As Vice President Villarreal says, “we hope everyone on campus sees these four priority areas and considers where they will get involved.” In coordination with these efforts, EDI is inviting faculty, staff, trainees, and students on campus to share their own stories and experiences of “championing equity” in the community via the Experiences in Equity form.
To learn more about Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at the U of U and the work that’s already begun, visit the recent Annual Report, which includes information about the university resource centers and student support offices. And to discover more about the EDI Strategy Council—including the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan, key strategies, and action steps—please visit us at the links here and begin planning where you will join in.
