Strategic Action Plan Theme 3: Foster

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  2. Diversity and Inclusion
  3. Strategic Action Plan Theme 3: Foster

FOSTER the development of a campus culture and climate in which every member can thrive and flourish. 

Having a community that is diverse is not enough. We must ensure that all members of the community have opportunities to participate, grow, and flourish. By fostering inclusion, we improve retention of students, faculty, and staff from our diverse identities. “St. Lawrence University must work to create an environment that thrives on the diversity individuals bring to this community of learners.”[1]

  • Short-term:
    • Work with Thelmo to institute mandatory D&I programming for all student organizational leaders
      • Summer 2022 update: Microaggressions workshop developed in collaboration with Thelmo Diversity and Inclusion committee and the Office for Diversity & Inclusion presented in March 2022; plans under way to offer similar program in 2022-2023; Everfi DEIB online training now required for all student leaders.
    • Work to amplify the voices of community members with underrepresented identities
      • Summer 2022 update: Collaborations with Thelmo Diversity & Inclusion committee have resulted in several programs on microaggressions; Residence Life now includes several CA programming committees including a Diversity & Inclusion committee
      • Ubuntu magazine, produced by BIPOC and international students
      • Brush Gallery and Office for Diversity & Inclusion continue to purchase artwork by artists with underrepresented identities, including students, and display around campus
      • Establishment of the Ken Okoth ’01 Black American Music Endowed Fund
    • Identify strategies to support first-generation students
      • Summer 2022 update: St. Lawrence recognized as First-Gen Forward institution by the Center for First-Generation Student Success, an initiative of the National Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education[2]
    • Host community forums in which all members have opportunity to express their thoughts, ideas, and concerns
      • Summer 2022 update: Two Title IX open forums and one Wellness forum hosted in 2021-2022
    • Expand the displays and exhibits featuring people from diverse identities throughout campus, including the “Faces of St. Lawrence” exhibit in the Sullivan Student Center[3]
      • Summer 2022 update: All Are Welcome Here exhibit in Student Center; additional opportunities to display art featuring underrepresented populations are being explored by several offices on campus
      • Dedication of The Jeffrey Campbell House in September 2021
      • Jeffrey Campbell Day celebration planned for 2023 D&I Week
    • Continue Fellowship Lunch series for BIPOC and LGBTQIA faculty/staff, and expand to include other groups as needed
      • Summer 2022 update: Weekly Fellowship Lunches for BIPOC, LGBTQIA fac/staff provided; International fac/staff and “All - Anyone who would like to chat” included as well
  • Intermediate:
    • Develop parameters for “Thrive Guides” for LGBTQIA, BIPOC, international students, and other underrepresented identity groups, similar to Yale University's First Year Trans Survival Guide[4]
      • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Summer 2022 update: Road Map for Success developed in Summer 2021
    • Identify areas where greater accessibility can be relatively easily achieved[5]
    • Work with Human Resources to study exit interviews and determine need for programming/interventions
    • Explore funding options for internships and research experiences for under-resourced students
    • DC will develop ongoing workshops and community dialogues on D&I topics and current events (collaborating with other groups/departments, such as the faculty/staff group CARE[6])
  • Long-term:
    • Assess and revise programming and interventions as culture changes
    • Assess physical environment for accessibility and trans-students
  • Assessment
    • Continue and expand collaboration with Thelmo to ensure that student leaders are trained at regular intervals (e.g., annually)
    • Track retention numbers for various demographic groups of students
    • Track number of community forums and main topics of concern expressed; ensure that concerns are addressed
    • Track number of displays featuring those with underrepresented identities in positive ways

Return to the Strategic Action Plan for Diversity and Inclusion

[1] From University Diversity Statement.

[2]See https://www.stlawu.edu/news/st-lawrence-university-receives-first-gen-forward-designation

[3] “Faces of St. Lawrence” exhibit was made permanent in Summer 2020.

[4] Yale University Office of LGBTQ Resources, https://lgbtq.yale.edu/trans/students#gender-inclusive-yale-college-housing.

[5] E.g., lower paper towel holder in restrooms for wheelchair-bound access.

[6] CARE is an acronym for Committed to Action for Racial Equity.