University of San Diego
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

"The University of San Diego is committed to upholding standards that promote respect and human dignity in an environment that fosters academic excellence and professionalism. It is the policy of the university to maintain an educational and work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

To that end, the university prohibits and does not tolerate unlawful discrimination against or harassment of its employees, students or applicants for employment or admission on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, age, physical disability, mental disability, or other characteristic protected by federal or state law, unless a particular characteristic is a bona fide requirement of the position.

All members of the university community are expected to uphold this policy. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the university."

https://www.sandiego.edu/legal/policies/community/institutional/Policy%202.2.2.pdf

The university encourages any person who feels that he or she has been unlawfully discriminated against or harassed, or observes or is otherwise aware of an incident of unlawful discrimination or harassment, to report the incident promptly. To assist in the investigation, the university may request that a complaint be made in writing with a detailed description of the facts giving rise to the complaint, the names of any individuals involved, including any witnesses, and copies of any documents that support or relate to the complaint. Although the university may request the submission of a written complaint, an oral complaint is sufficient to initiate the procedures set forth under this policy (https://www.sandiego.edu/legal/policies/community/institutional/Policy%202.2.2.pdf).

The university will investigate every reported complaint of unlawful discrimination or harassment. The investigation will be conducted in a thorough, prompt and professional manner. Every bias-motivated incident, act of intolerance or hate crime, is reviewed by members of Public Safety, the Dean of Students and Director of Title IX/EEO. A Critical Incident Response Team meeting is called for us to review the incident and determine appropriate next steps. Resources and support are offered to the victim/survivor/reporting party which include the counseling services, academic accommodations, housing accommodations, safety resources and any other measure deemed appropriate for the situation.

If the perpetrator(s) is(are) identified, the person would follow the appropriate process for accountability through the Dean of Students, student conduct, Human Resources and/or local police department.

The university also has response protocols for "Hate Crimes and Acts of Intolerance" through the Office of Public Safety. Please see https://www.sandiego.edu/safety/reporting/hate-crimes/response.php

The 2020 Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusive Excellence outlines goals and programs for recruitment and retention of students, staff, and faculty from underrepresented groups. Please see: https://www.sandiego.edu/inclusion/documents/SIX%20TERRAINS.pdf

The plan focuses on recruitment of faculty under a section titled " Faculty, Staff and Administrator Access, Recruitment and Development"

From that strategic plan:
"Every employee deserves to be treated with dignity, empathy, respect and civility when interacting with students and colleagues, as well as have opportunities for professional growth. We recognize the importance of collegial life in the development of our university as well as the fulfillment of individual potential. Student success relies on faculty, staff and administrators committed to inclusive excellence and who represent the diversity of our San Diego community.

Goal 1 Develop strategies to increase the diversity of the faculty, particularly in areas where there is underrepresentation according to gender, race and ethnicity, in order to advance academic excellence and student learning.

Goal 2 Develop strategies to increase the diversity of staff and administrators, eliminating access, recruitment and development barriers that deter professional advancement and personal fulfillment.

Goal 3 Provide equal opportunities for all employees to balance work and life commitments within a mission driven culture of care, and to build community by exploring commonalities and differences in a work context of mutuality"

In February 2016, four University task forces were formed:
• Faculty and staff recruitment and hiring practices
• Faculty and staff orientation and ongoing development
• The first year student experience
• The second year student experience

Each of these task forces are charged with assessing current data and processes, identifying best practices, and creating priority action steps for implementation.

More information can be found here: http://www.sandiego.edu/president/writings-addresses/four-diversity-taskforces.php

The University of San Diego provides counseling, affinity groups and peer support programs for underrepresented groups.

The Rainbow Educators Program works to build awareness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) issues within the campus community, through workshops and other activities in order to create a safe, just and equal environment for all on campus.

The ‘Safe Space Allies’ program trains volunteers among students faculty and staff to become safe space allies that provide peer support and counseling to LGBT students or other students from potentially marginalized groups.

The University offers Diversity “Circle of Excellence” Scholarships for students who have the potential to advance diversity and inclusion in the University community.

There are several campus clubs (such as multicultural clubs) which are affinity groups that provide peer support to minority students and connect them both with others from their community as well as the wider campus community to share their culture and promote diversity. These include the Asian Student Association, Black Student Union, Association of Chicana Activists, Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization, Chinese Language Union, and Muslim Student Association.

USD offers the following resources for training and supporting students from underrepresented groups who wish to have careers as faculty members:

School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) Diversity Scholarship - The purpose of this scholarship program is to encourage multi-cultural understanding and increase diversity among professions supported by the degrees offered through the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES). Awards made are intended to recruit and retain students from underrepresented ethnic and social groups. This program awards scholarships to graduate students who are pursuing teaching credentials, masters and doctoral degrees.

Faculty Diversity Recruitment and Retention Postdoctoral Fellowship Program - In 2013, the Dean of USD's College of Arts and Sciences created a faculty advisory committee charged with enhancing the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty for the College. In collaboration with various campus constituencies, the committee was tasked with designing a two-year diversity postdoctoral teaching/research academic fellowship program that serves the dual purpose of providing academic experience for diverse scholars and providing diverse faculty for our students. Additionally, the committee sought to explore ways to build mentorship and professional development into the fellowship.

Ford Foundation Fellowship Program for Minorities - USD also works with the Ford Foundation’s Fellowship Program for Minorities. Through this program, the Ford Foundation seeks to increase the diversity of the nation's college and university faculties. Administered by the National Research Council (NRC) since 1979, these programs provide fellowship support at the predoctoral, dissertation and postdoctoral levels. Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens who can demonstrate superior academic achievement, are committed to a career in teaching and research at the college or university level, show promise of future achievement as scholars and teachers, and are well prepared to use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students.

Additional information on the Bias Response team was received from Dr. Nicole Schuessler Veloz, Director of Title IX, EEO and Employee Relations.

For further information on other credits, please refer to:
Rainbow Educators: http://www.sandiego.edu/unitedfront/leadership/rainbow-educators/
Safe Space Allies: http://www.sandiego.edu/unitedfront/programs/safe-space-allies/
Student Associations: https://sandiego.collegiatelink.net/organizations
Diversity “Circle of Excellence” Scholarships: http://catalogs.sandiego.edu/undergraduate/financial-aid/scholarships-grants/
First- Generation College Student Experience Program:
http://www.sandiego.edu/united-front/first-gen/