Naz diversity, equity, inclusion progress.

 

Dear Nazareth community, I look forward to joining together for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration on Monday, January 18, 2021. Dr. King said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” As we join together on Monday to reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. King, let us honor him by asking ourselves if we are doing all we can to build a culture of love and respect for all persons, shining light in the dark.  In fall 2020, the Nazareth College community committed to a movement for anti-racism, equity, and inclusion. Our movement has catalyzed important action and progress to: Grow and value the diversity in our community, Bring an equity lens to our work,  See, educate, and eradicate bias, and  Create a community that is inclusive, and in which all individuals feel a sense of belonging and their full potential is empowered. We look to the bedrock principles upon which we were founded — principles of diversity, inclusion, equity, social justice — as we continue building our momentum and putting our values into action. The work we do here seeds a lifetime commitment our students will bring to their chosen fields and communities.  Below is a list of some of the major actions and initiatives accomplished this past semester and an overview of some of the work planned for spring 2021. Our movement is an integral and inclusive community-wide and continuous commitment and call to action. Together, let’s keep moving forward.  Beth Paul President

Nazareth college movement for anti-racism, equity, and inclusion

Fall 2020 Major Actions and Initiatives Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the curriculum Curricular changes and enhancements have been recommended and implemented to include more intentional and sustained opportunities for DEI-themed topics of study. Changes included revisions to the Academic and College Success (ACS) course, and the piloting of a series of 1-credit courses entitled Equitable Spaces in spring 2021. The College of Arts and Sciences completed a study to explore the development of small interdisciplinary clusters or modules of courses that could build toward a mini certificate or core curricular component that specifically engage DEI outcomes, topics, and issues. Community Learning Nazareth students, faculty, and staff participated in a Naz five-day racial equity challenge, and the College participated, along with thousands of Rochester-area organizations and residents, in the United Way 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge. Fall assembly day for faculty and staff focused on anti-racism learning and action planning. Senior administration and other College leaders, including a College trustee, participated in a six-week professional development series focusing on creating and leading an equity-minded institutional culture. Plans to engage additional cohorts of faculty and staff from the campus community are underway. Athletics is working with the Assistant VP for Inclusion, Diversity, and Educational Achievement, their appointed NCAA Diversity Officer. Community and Belonging has enhanced its webpages to include a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Repository and Campus-Wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives. Anti-bias initiatives The Nazareth Bias Response and Education Team (NBRET) was formed and completed the initial phase of training. NBRET is scheduled to launch in early spring 2021. Faculty and staff across the campus have been identified to serve as anti-bias champions to support the work of NBRET and integration of a DEI culture across campus. The MLK Day Celebration Committee selected daytime and evening events centered on the theme of anti-racism. Outreach A group is working on increasing the authenticity and effectiveness of recruitment, enrollment, and success of a more ethnically diverse student population. Marketing and Communications has incorporated an inclusive approach in messaging with its internal and external communications. Policy and procedure revision A number of working groups have been convened to explore several DEI policy projects including revision of the student code of conduct and the faculty and staff manuals. The Administrative Council completed a national DEI index designed to help higher education institutions take meaningful steps to develop their DEI efforts in five specific areas: communication and education, assessment, compensation, recruitment and retention, and investment and infrastructure. Assessment and accountability The Nazareth College Diversity Scorecard has been posted on the Community and Belonging webpage and will be updated annually. Spring 2021 Action Plan DEI in the curriculum Develop a bi-annual process for developing and submitting Equitable Spaces course proposals. Community Learning Expand DEI-themed professional development opportunities including topics on equity-mindedness, restorative practices, inclusive pedagogy, and civil discourse. The Office of Diversity and Inclusive Educational Excellence (ODIEE) and Human Resources will host a series of workshops addressing inclusiveness in the workplace. Anti-bias initiatives Officially launch NBRET, the Nazareth Bias Response and Education Team and training for anti-bias champions. Develop opportunities to include students in the anti-bias initiatives through new or existing student-focused structures, e.g. El Barrio or Rethinking Othering & Oppression Through Systems (ROOTS). Outreach Establish or re-establish community-based partnerships with local organizations working with underserved communities, e.g. Ibero and Urban League. Marketing and NBRET will collaborate on strengthening NBRET communication, awareness, and outreach. Marketing and Communications will conduct a College-wide DEI communications audit.  Policy and procedure revision Complete the Campus Pride Index benchmarking and begin developing tactics to create a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community. The Academic Policies and Procedures Committee and Graduate Advisory Council will begin reviewing undergraduate and graduate academic policies and procedures with an equity and inclusion lens, making adjustments as needed to be included in the 2021-2022 catalogs and beyond. The Community and Belonging Advisory Council will analyze data from the national DEI index and identify areas of strength and improvement for our campus to address to become a more inclusive and equity-minded educational institution.  Assessment and accountability Refine and articulate a framework for advancing campus-wide DEI. NBRET will collaborate with Institutional Research (IR) to develop assessment measures for team effectiveness and achievement of core goals. Explore opportunities for grant funding for advancing our DEI movement. Support the academic and administrative assessment process to ensure DEI-related objectives are included as part of assessment initiatives with IR.