Strategic Plan for Diversity & Inclusion

Statement of Diversity and Inclusion

Reviewed by the Campus Community (Faculty, Staff, and Students) Endorsed by the Faculty Senate (12.02.2016)

Preamble:

Nazareth College embraces a society that is both diverse and inclusive, and values both respect for the person and freedom of speech. Respect for the dignity of all people is an essential part of the College’s tradition, mission, and vision for the future as we advance a socially just and equitable community. The College promotes civility and denounces acts of hatred, violence, and/or intolerance. 

Statement:

We define diversity as a continuum of individual, group, and social differences, both visible and invisible. This definition compels us to confront inherent privilege, power, and marginalization to achieve equity and social justice. Diversity at Nazareth is concerned with, but not limited to: race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious and spiritual belief, ability, national origin, veteran status, age, and those individuals with cultural characteristics that have been historically underrepresented and underserved.

Nazareth College is dedicated to inclusion, the active pursuit of conscious and sustained practices and processes that value and respect differences. This commitment to diversity and inclusion informs our curriculum, teaching, learning, scholarship, creative activities, co-curricular activities, residential life, community involvement, and support of these endeavors by the Nazareth Community.

This commitment includes:

  • engaging in a continual process of education, critical self-reflection and dialogue regarding privilege, power, and marginalization,
  • promoting greater access and inclusion through systemic and structural change, and
  • ensuring that all students, faculty, and staff reach their fullest potential individually and collectively.

This endeavor is essential in meeting the goal of preparing our students and ourselves for meaningful lives in a diverse and global society.


STRATEGIC PLAN FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

3/21/2017

Foundational Recommendations

The following recommendations are foundational to fulfill the College’s mission and vision to advance diversity and inclusion as defined in the Statement. These recommendations support the development of the infrastructure necessary to implement, inform and regulate all of the strategies advanced in this plan. These recommendations and strategies will prepare Nazareth College to become a stronger, more diverse and inclusive institution, which will position the college and its graduates as leaders in an ever-changing and increasingly global society. It is understood that a careful and thorough review of existing human, physical, virtual and financial resources is essential to the success of this strategic plan. A major outcome of this review will be to identify the realignment of existing resources of those departments or programs who, by virtue of their mission and vision, will provide centrality and strength to the strategic plan’s implementation.

I. Create the position of Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion (VPDI)
II. Develop a Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Council
III. Create a comprehensive budget proposal for Diversity and Inclusion
IV. Develop a committee of the Board of Trustees
V. Expand the Office of Diversity and Inclusion

STRATEGIC GOALS

These strategies will directly address each of the four goals in the initial charge to the Ad Hoc Committee for Diversity and Inclusion.

GOAL I: Recruit and Retain a Diverse Undergraduate and Graduate Student Body
GOAL II: Recruit and Retain a Diverse Faculty and Staff
GOAL III: Educate Undergraduate and Graduate Students, Faculty, and Staff about Diversity and Inclusion
GOAL IV: Create and Sustain an Inclusive Environment for Undergraduate and Graduate Students, Faculty, and Staff