University of Wisconsin-Platteville
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, arrest or conviction record, identity as a veteran, disabled veteran, Vietnam era veteran, membership in the national guard, state defense force or any other reserve component of the military forces of the United States or this state. Sexual harassment is illegal and will not be tolerated. Co-workers and supervisors may not retaliate against any employee, student, or job applicant because he or she filed a complaint, assisted in an investigation or participated in any proceeding alleging discrimination on the foregoing basis.

The University ensures physical accessibility to work environments for persons with disabilities and will provided reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to employment. Upon request, the University will provide reasonable accommodations for religious observances and practices. The University is committed to a program of affirmative action for women, racial minorities, persons with disabilities, disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era. While the Chancellor assumes overall responsibility for the success of the program, university administrators and supervisors are responsible and accountable for implementation. Authority for monitoring the program is delegated to the Director of Human Resources.

Each individual associated with the University is called upon to pledge a new and revitalized commitment to build and maintain a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination, an environment that fosters mutual respect, recognizes the dignity and worth of all people, and promotes to the fullest, equal employment opportunity through affirmative action.
https://www.uwplatt.edu/department/diversity-equity-inclusion/policies-statements

The University Bias Incident Team (UBIT) exists to help bridge this gap by providing an organized response to reported bias incidents, assuring that resources and support are available for those who need it, and serving as a catalyst in identifying patterns of concerns and infusing programming, education, and training to proactively combat obstacles that hinder our campus in providing an inclusive community.

The UBIT team is made of the following members:
Assistant Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion
Associate Director for Public Relations
Assistant Provost
Campus Climate Coordinator
Chief Human Resources Officer
Dean of Students
Detective, University Police
Executive Directors, Diversity and Inclusion
Executive Director of Student Life and Development

Anyone can report an incident of bias that they have witnessed or experienced by using the online form. UBIT then reviews any reported incidents of bias, gathers information, and recommends a plan of action to ensure that those affected by the incident receive support.

When an incident is reported, the UBIT team convenes to review the reported incidents of bias, gathers information including interviewing others who many have been involved in the situation, and recommends a plan of action to ensure that those affected by the incident receive support.

https://www.uwplatt.edu/department/diversity-inclusion/bias-incident-reporting

Lawton Grant: The Lawton Grant is a University of Wisconsin Systems grant to assist underrepresented students remain and succeed at UW-Platteville. Only Wisconsin residents are eligible for this state-funded grant.
https://www.uwplatt.edu/lawton-grant

The UW-Platteville Office of Multicultural Student Affairs specializes in assisting African-American, Native American, Latino/a, or Asian student succeed, seek leadership opportunities, and prepare for their professional and educational future.

Their Academic Enrichment Program (AEP) is designed to support underrepresented groups on campus. They provide:
SUCCEED Summer Bridge programs to help with academic transitions to college
Cohort scheduling, where you take classes with a group of students you already know
Auxiliary advising
Service learning
Academic workshops
Financial literacy workshops
Cultural events
https://www.uwplatt.edu/department/multicultural-student-affairs

Chancellor Shields is committed to diversity initiatives on campus. In 2012, he established a chief diversity officer position, along with a new Division of Diversity and Inclusion. Since 2012, the division has overseen a number of initiatives to support an inclusive community, such as establishing the University Bias Incident Team, founding the Wright Center for Non-Traditional and Veteran Students, re-envisioning the Patricia A. Doyle Center for Gender and Sexuality, and providing pre-college programs to students from at-risk populations. Student outcomes for these groups have improved markedly during Chancellor Shields’ tenure.

He has been actively involved in the national dialogue around diversity and inclusion in higher education. Chancellor Shields has served as chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group of the National Collegiate Athletics Association, Division III. Over the past decade, the racial and ethnic diversity of students at UW-Platteville more than doubled. In fall 2016, racial and ethnic minorities made up nearly 10 percent of the student body, compared to less than 6 percent in fall 2009. In addition, the profile of racially and ethnically diverse students has shifted from being primarily African-American to include a higher proportion of people who identify as Hispanic or Asian.

https://www.uwplatt.edu/department/chancellor

In 2022, UW-Platteville was a recipient of the highly selective McNair Scholars Program Grant, an award of more than $1.3M for a five-year period, to prepare students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. Participants are from disadvantaged backgrounds and have demonstrated strong academic potential. Institutions encourage participants to enroll in graduate programs and then track their progress through to the successful completion of advanced degrees. The goal is to increase the attainment of Ph.D. degrees by students from underrepresented segments of society.