Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 70.01
Liaison Rebecca Walker
Submission Date April 13, 2022

STARS v2.2

Southern Oregon University
PA-5: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.67 / 2.00 Rebecca Walker
Sustainability Manager
Facilities, Management, Sustainability and Planning
"---" 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 by the administration or governing body to advise on and implement policies, programs, and trainings related to diversity, equity, inclusion and human rights?:
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:
Office for EDI
In May of 2020, with the resignation of the Senior Executive for Equity and Diversity, President Schott appointed a three person Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Leadership team. In November of 2021, a Vice President of EDI was hired. Under her leadership, the office of EDI is currently being developed and with an eye on reviewing student and staff initiatives for a more cohesive cross-campus approach.

Committee
In 2017, House Bill 2864 required Oregon public universities to establish a campus body focusing on EDI efforts. In December 2018, SOU established SOU's President’s Committee for Equity and Diversity (CED).
SOU President’s Committee for Equity and Diversity supports the values as well as the equity, diversity, and inclusion goals of Southern Oregon University.
With Inclusive Excellence as the framework for organizational success, the CED performs work, provides guidance, and makes recommendations to advance the equity, diversity, and inclusion priorities of SOU.
The CED is composed of SOU students, faculty, staff, and administrators. While not exclusive, the committee seeks to include members of historically underrepresented groups in higher education to ensure a complement of diverse perspectives in the committee’s operations.

The committee has a minimum of 12 members. Equal weight is given to the perspectives of students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

One-half of the membership of the CED will hold two-year, renewable terms.

One-half of the membership of the CED will hold one-year, renewable terms.

Current Membership includes:
Upper Administration: 1
Unclassified Staff: 15
Faculty: 5
Classified Staff: 2
Students 3
Oregon Health and Science University affiliate (OHSU): 1

Bias Response Review
In addition, the Bias Response Review team under the leadership of the Director of Equity Grievance/Title IX Coordinator addresses issues of bias across campus. This team is comprised of Faculty and Staff, as well as a Title IX team that provides trainings, investigations, and resources based in gender/sex equity.

Part 2 

Estimated proportion of students that has participated in cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
Most

Estimated proportion of academic staff that has participated in cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
Most

Estimated proportion of non-academic staff that has participated in cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
Most

If trainings are made available, provide:

A brief description of the institution’s cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities:
Training is mandatory for all Employees. In Winter and Spring terms of 2021, employees were required to complete the EDI trainings (see below). Also, all new employees receive diversity training through HR.

Faculty & Staff took part in the following mandatory trainings in Winter & Spring terms (2021):
• Diversity and Inclusion: Faculty and Staff
• Implicit Bias and Microaggression Awareness
• Making Campus Safe for LGBTQ+ Students

All Employees and Board of Trustees were encouraged to participate in these open campus Modules Winter & Spring terms (2021):
EDI Modules
Module 1
• Anti-Blackness in Oregon
• Reality of Immigrants in the US
• Institutionalized Racism
• Healing from Racial Trauma

Module 2
• LGBTQ+
• Asian American Perspectives
• Indigeneity

The Social Justice and Equity Center regularly hosts events and activities for students https://studentlife.sou.edu/social-justice-equity-center/

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s diversity and equity office or trainings is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://edi.sou.edu/

https://studentlife.sou.edu/social-justice-equity-center/

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.