After more than a year of research, discussion and discernment, the University released its new campus-wide plan for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in April. The plan provides a foundational framework and specifies concrete actions for the University community to address diversity, equity and inclusion on campus and beyond.
Rev. Joseph R. Marina, S.J., University president, who announced the release of the plan at Scranton’s Convocation this spring, said, “I am heartened by the ongoing dialogue, planning, learning, research, teaching and service that is happening on this campus in relation to forwarding the goals of diversity, equity and inclusion.”
“The University strives to frame its mission, strategy and policies within the body of Catholic Social Teaching.”
Select initiatives related to diversity, equity and inclusion are in motion: additional course offerings that cover topics related to diversity and race, work through the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) Anti-Racism Examen by the Board of Trustees, faculty hiring that better represents the growing diversity of the student body, and events and dialogues exploring diversity and inclusion.
Supporting the Strategic Plan
The new plan, developed to support directly the Strategic Plan, which was released in 2020, will guide the University as it seeks to reflect and understand “. . . the diversity of the world by demanding that diversity be a priority as we build an inclusive community and campus culture, and develop and deliver our education and shape our student experience.”
Creating the DEI plan was a first-year priority for the Strategic Plan’s implementation.
“It was important to make the DEI Strategic Plan a priority given the Black Lives Matter movement and the murders of George Floyd and others in the Black and Brown communities, and after holding several listening sessions during the summer of 2020,” said Elizabeth M. Garcia, Esq., co-chair of the DEI planning committee and special assistant to the president, executive director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, Title IX coordinator.
According to the DEI Plan, “The University strives to frame its mission, strategy and policies within the body of Catholic Social Teaching, that deep and profound collection of teachings that calls us to recognize the dignity of each and every human person, to work together in building a truly just society, and to live lives of faith, hope and love. In doing so, the University participates in the life and mission of the Church for the purpose of having an authentic impact on all those it serves and who comprise its community.”
The plan recognizes diversity, equity and inclusion as integral to the Catholic and Jesuit mission of the University. The action steps outlined in each of these areas directly respond to the broader objectives of the Strategic Plan.
The plan calls for the development of shared guiding principles for diversity, equity and inclusion across our campus community. Together with concrete implementation steps undertaken by all University departments, these principles will be a foundation for assessment and accountability, ensuring that “everyone is making DEI a priority,” said Garcia.
DEI PLAN ACTION STEPS
- Institutional commitment, transparency, coordination and accountability, improving collaboration and communication throughout the campus community
- The student experience, expanding engagement and support for diversity and inclusion for all students, including those from historically underrepresented and underserved populations
- The academic experience, broadening learning opportunities and assuring equity of access to academic and learning support resources for all
- The faculty and staff experience, building a more structured approach to recruitment, hiring, and training and support resources for our employees;
- Student recruitment, enrollment and retention, expanding enrollment of diverse and underrepresented populations, and better understanding and addressing student attrition and retention trends
- Alumni and community engagement, expanding our reach in the community, engagement with alumni, and understanding their experiences
The Many Communities
Myriam Moise ’22, member of the Council for Diversity and Inclusion and president of the United Cultures Organization, “wanted to be part of the change at Scranton,” noting that the accountability aspect of the DEI Plan resonated with her.
“Accountability is something that is very important, because it teaches people that some things should not be said. It also gives those who need it a place to voice issues they run into,” said Moise. “As a student of color, even though my time here, for the most part, was a positive experience, not everyone can say that, and I want other students of color in the future to also have a positive experience.”
Students played an important part in helping to shape the plan and will be integral in efforts moving forward. Adrianna Smith ’22 was also a member of the planning team this past year during her tenure as president of Student Government.
“The University showed its dedication to all our student populations by including them in all stages of planning from preliminary ideas to the final product,” said Smith. “These new changes will work to improve the daily experience of students on our campus and hopefully ensure that everyone feels that they have an equal and loving place in our community.”
The “community” expands beyond campus to the local and alumni communities as well. The plan aims to further engage alumni from underrepresented and underserved groups to understand their experiences at Scranton and identify mentors, among other goals.
“With over 50,000 alumni throughout the world, the Alumni Society of The University of Scranton is dedicated to connecting alumni from all backgrounds with each other and with students to build a community that is diverse, engaged and supportive of the University and its mission,” said Joe Sorbera ’08, Alumni Society board chair.
Find out more about the plan, its pillars and its overall findings and implementation at scranton.edu/diversityplan.
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