Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.78
Liaison Amber Saxton
Submission Date Sept. 1, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

George Mason University
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.89 / 2.00 Mary Liang
Sustainability Analyst
Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1 

Does the institution have a diversity and equity committee, office, and/or officer tasked to advise on and implement policies, programs, and trainings related to diversity, equity, inclusion and human rights on campus?:
Yes

Does the committee, office and/or officer focus on students, employees, or both?:
Both students and employees

None
A brief description of the diversity and equity committee, office and/or officer, including purview and activities:
The Office of Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics Services (CDE) at George Mason University (Mason) advances the commitment to creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive educational environment that values integrity and a culture of shared responsibility. The CDE reports to the president of the university and is responsible for the implementation of all equal opportunity policies, including the disability reasonable accommodation policy and the administration of the discrimination grievance procedures. Through educational workshops, the CDE ensures that members of the campus community understand their rights and responsibilities, specifically in regard to maintaining a learning and working environment free from illegal discrimination. It works collaboratively with other campus entities and the surrounding community to ensure physical and program access for persons with disabilities and to create, design, and disseminate programs that bring diverse people together in an encouraging and welcoming environment. For more information, visit https://diversity.gmu.edu/ In addition, University Life offices such as the Offices of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) and Office of International Programs and Services engage the various Mason constituents in co-curricular learning opportunities enhancing the exploration of the diversity of our campus community, identity development, and global and cultural competencies. Several University Life offices collaborating with academic partners offer various diversity trainings (i.e. Safe Zone, The Inclusive Learning Community and Global Discovery: The Silk Road) and presentations in academic and professional settings. For more information visit https://ulife.gmu.edu/global-and-multicultural-competency/

Part 2 

Estimated proportion of students that has participated in cultural competence trainings and activities (All, Most, Some, or None):
Most

Estimated proportion of staff (including administrators) that has participated in cultural competence trainings and activities (All, Most, Some, or None):
All

Estimated proportion of faculty that has participated in cultural competence trainings and activities (All, Most, Some, or None):
All

If trainings are made available, provide:

A brief description of the institution’s cultural competence trainings and activities for each of the groups identified above:
At Mason the Office of Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics offers various cultural competence trainings, including their Diversity and Cultural Awareness training that is mandatory for all faculty and staff. This training introduces participants to ideas regarding diversity and its benefits. Participants explore ways to begin to recognize differences that are not always apparent on the surface. Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action training are also available. This information session gives insight into Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action. Topics to be discussed include: The definition of EO and AA, as well as how both are applicable in higher education and the workplace. All first-year students are offered a University 100: Introduction to Mason. It is a discussion-based course to learn about Mason's resources, develop academic skills for success, and getting involved on campus. The course curriculum covers a variety of topics, including Creating Community and Beyond Diversity, which in many cases are introduced by ODIME staff.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Office of Diversity Inclusion and Multicultural Education https://odime.gmu.edu/ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Resources http://lgbtq.gmu.edu/safe-zone/ Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning https://ctfe.gmu.edu/teaching/creating-inclusive-classrooms University Life Professional Development http://ulprofdev.gmu.edu/programs-initiatives/inclusive-learning-community/ AGORA https://getconnected.gmu.edu/organization/Agora Roosevelt at Mason https://getconnected.gmu.edu/organization/gmuroosevelt Dialogue and Difference Project - School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution https://dialogueanddifferenceproject.org/ The Dialogue and Difference Project aims to promote cultural, political, and social understanding through the process of community dialogue participation. The project has been consistently working throughout the George Mason University community to bring faculty, students, and residents together to engage in effective dialogue surrounding some of the most controversial issues currently faced in global, national, and local communities. Opportunities for competency trainings related to diversity, equity, inclusion and human rights are also provided by Registered Student Organizations (RSO’s) such as AGORA and Roosevelt at Mason.

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