University of Illinois Chicago
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

While UIC does not have one all encompassing diversity and equity committee, that task is split up into several committees that are concerned with the different fields of diversity and equity. The Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Blacks (CCSB) serves as an advisory body on matters pertaining to the academic, professional, and social aspects of African and African American life at UIC. CCSB addresses issues relating to campus governance, employment practices, public relations, student affairs and other issues that affect the well being of Blacks on campus. The committee works collaboratively with UIC’s diverse community. The Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Latinos (CCSL) was established to promote the development of educational, professional and career opportunities among UIC Latinos. The committee addresses issues of general concern to Latinos at UIC. The Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Asian Americans (CCSAA) is dedicated to promoting the academic, social, cultural and professional welfare of UIC’s Asian American faculty, staff and students. We address issues related to work and pay, recruitment and retention, and quality of life. The Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Women (CCSW) works to improve the status of women at UIC with a primary objective to advise and make recommendations to the Chancellor regarding attitudes, policies, and procedures that affect women faculty, staff and students. The committee will undertake projects and will also recommend changes in campus structures, policies and programs as appropriate. The mission of the Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities is to promote empowerment and inclusion of faculty, staff and students with disabilities at UIC. CCSPD recognizes that people with disabilities are a diverse group, including individuals with visible and non-visible disabilities. This mission is motivated by the belief that people with disabilities are assets to the university, not liabilities. The mission of the Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues is to provide leadership on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues in UIC communities. This includes addressing needs of staff, faculty, students and alumni of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. The goal is to enhance a supportive environment which will foster full participation by all members of the university's communities in teaching, public service, and research. In addition in fall 2008, the Provost sought nominations from Deans and Vice Chancellors of individuals to serve on a campus-level Diversity Strategic Thinking and Planning Committee. The DSTP Committee met over many weeks and worked to outline the DSTP process. The DSTP Committee devoted 2009 to Diversity Strategic Thinking, and continues to meet in preparation for Diversity Strategic Planning. The campus DSTP Committee has been engaged in the following activities during the Diversity Strategic Thinking stage of the process: * Meeting with campus constituencies to hear various perspectives on campus diversity issues and subsequently catalogue the activities, concerns, goals and priorities of our campus communities, as well as to identify unique and shared issues across these constituencies. * Completing a Diversity Strategic Thinking exercise within DSTPC subcommittees to gather information and reflect upon how diversity is currently supported within campus activities, and consider what opportunities are available. DSTPC subcommittees will focus on diversity as it relates to and intersects with six topic areas: Environment/Climate, Faculty, Research, Staff, Students, and Teaching and Learning. * Meeting with college and unit diversity committees and Student Advisory Committee to exchange information learned from each other's work, and discuss major questions and issues that arise during the process. * Drafting a formal Diversity Strategic Thinking document outlining UIC’s diversity philosophies, activities, and future priorities. In 2010, the focus of the DSTP Committee will transition from Thinking to Planning. Information about their Planning activities will be made available on this Web site as the year progresses.

The DSTP Committee membership is available at http://www.uic.edu/depts/oaa/diversity_planning/DSTP%20Committee%20Roster%20%28Names%20and%20Affiliations%20-%2003.01.10%29.pdf NEED TO ADD CCS committee info from Joe!!!

There are two offices that are relevant here: The Office for Access and Equity (OAE) offers a variety of services to UIC: • Represents the campus to federal and state agencies as well as to the campus community on issues related to affirmative action, equal opportunity, harassment, discrimination, and diversity. • Offers trainings in sexual harassment awareness, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other related topics as needed. • Investigates complaints of unlawful discrimination in admission, employment and access to as well as treatment in UIC-sponsored programs and activities; also investigates claims of sexual harassment where a formal complaint is filed and makes recommendations to responsible University representatives as appropriate. • OAE monitors and approves all required searches for academic vacancies in addition to approving waivers of a standard search process. • Collaborates in the development of the campus’s Affirmative Action Plan • Maintains Diversity Profiles regarding relevant data of students, fellows, residents and employees for the campus and college or administrative unit The Office of Diversity - The Special Assistant will work as a member of a team – together with the Provost, Vice Provosts, the Associate Chancellor for Access & Equity, and others – to develop a diversity plan for academic affairs at UIC. In addition, the Special Assistant is responsible for initiating programs to enhance the success of all groups in academic affairs, thus advancing UIC’s ability to offer an outstanding education at all levels to a diverse student body.

The Special Assistant to the Provost for Diversity reports directly to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The position was created in 2007 to provide leadership in promoting diversity among faculty and student ranks. The Office of Access and Equity has a Director, Caryn Bills and 6 additional staff members. More information is available at http://www.uic.edu/depts/oae/index.html