Wells College Diversity Framework

Click on Diversity Framework image for an enlargeable PDF version.
 

2007-08 Action Plan on Inclusion, Diversity, and Interculturalism

Wells College

This initial draft of the Action Plan on Inclusion, Diversity, and Interculturalism provides an outline of goals and initiatives that the College proposes to implement during the 2007-08 academic year. The plan is based on the Wells College Campus-Wide Diversity Framework (above) with each initiative considered and identified through: (1) conversations with student, staff, and faculty; (2) current opportunities that are available; and (3) possibility for immediate and long-term impact. The plan has been drafted by the Office of Institutional Diversity in collaboration with the Office of Academic Affairs (Leslie Miller-Bernal, Cindy Speaker), Office of Admissions (Susan Sloan), Office of Communications (Ann Rollo), Office of the President (Lisa Marsh Ryerson), Office of Student Life (Anne Lundquist, Joel McCarthy), Office of Off-Campus Study (John Wells), and the Office of the Vice President of Finance and Treasurer (Diane Hutchinson, Kit Van Orman). The the Faculty Subcommittee on Diversity, Staff Subcommittee on Diversity, and the Student Subcommittee on Diversity are currently working on their respective actions plans which will be integrated into the campus-wide action plan below. The action plan will be updated each summer/fall and will complement the Five Year Strategic Plan on Inclusion, Diversity, and Interculturalism, which is in its initial stages of development (see goal 3, focus 4). We welcome any feedback; please contact the Office of Institutional Diversity. 
 
 

To foster an inclusive and intercultural campus climate that supports social identity groups, and promotes constructive interpersonal and intergroup relationships for staff, students, faculty, administration, and trustees.

Focus 1: Create a comprehensive approach for integrating both formal and informal conflict transformation processes across the campus.

1. Develop a campus-wide anti-bias protocol. (Human Resources, Student Life, Institutional Diversity)
2. Make available anti-bias protocol on the Wells website. (Communications)
3. Integrate anti-bias protocal into the Staff Handbook. (Human Resources)
4. Plan for conflict transformation training for students for 2008-09. (Student Life, Institutional Diversity)
5. Plan for professional development opportunities in conflict transformation and cultural competency for administration, staff and faculty for 2008-09. (Academic Affairs, Communications, Human Resources, Student Life, Admissions, Institutional Diversity)

Focus 2:Assess the iconography that reflects underrepresented peoples and cultures.

1. Create a sign and brochure explaining the innaccuracies and historical context of the mural on the 3^rd floor of Macmillan. (Communications)
2. Inventory current items displayed around campus and make appropriate changes. (Communications, Institutional Diversity, Professor Ganis)

1. Develop and implement a annual campus climate survey. (Academic Affairs, Communications, Human Resources, Student Life, Admissions, Institutional Diversity)

1. Create a diversity brochure that reflects Wells' commitment to diversity. (Admissions, Human Resources, Institutional Diversity)
2. Transfer material from diversity brochure to website. (Admissions, Human Resources, Institutional Diversity)

To recruit, retain, and support the success of a diverse group of administrators, staff, students, faculty, and trustees.

Goal 2A: Staff, Faculty, and Trustees 

Focus 1: Develop a formal, comprehensive recruitment policy and process for all College hires.

1. Assess pool of candidates for all advertised positions by employing postcards that ask for background information. (Human Resources, Institutional Diversity)
2. Include intercultural skills, knowledge, and experience as necessary qualifications in faculty, staff, and administrative job advertisements. (Academic Affairs, Communications, Human Resources, Student Life, Admissions, Institutional Diversity)
3. Identify job advertising approaches that reach underrepresented groups --including links to community organizations, institutions of higher education (e.g. tribal colleges, HBCU’s, etc.), and other opportunties (Academic Affairs, Communications, Human Resources)
4. Create a faculty recruitment handbook and provide introduction of the handbook to search committee. (Academic Affairs, Institutional Diversity)
5. Create recruitment package –including benefits of being employed at Wells) and make this available on the web. (Communications, Human Resources)

1. Provide on campus workshops. (Academic Affairs, Communications, Human Resources, Student Life, Admissions, Institutional Diversity)
2. Provide opportunities for off campus workshops and conferences. (Academic Affairs, Communications, Human Resources, Student Life, Admissions, Institutional Diversity)

1. Assess current make-up of board. (Communications, Office of the President)

Focus 4: Create strategic partnerships with community organizations to increase outreach opportunities to underrepresented students and help create campus programs.

1. Develop relationships with Sudanese and other local/regional immigrant and migrant communities. (Admissions, Institutional Diversity)
2. Develop relationship with Haudenosaunee Confederacy. (Admissions)
3. Develop relationship with community organizations in NYC, Rochester, Syracuse, and other areas that are currently bringing students to Wells as part of recessitating the 21^st and Wells Program (Admissions)
4. Explore opportunities with Wells’ Education Program. (Admissions, Academic Affairs, Institutional Diversity)

1. Create a student of color/alumnae(i) of color mentorship program. (Communications, Student Life, Institutional Diversity)
2. Develop specific programs during orientation, e.g. international students. (Student Life, Off-Campus Study, Institutional Diversity)
3. Develop host-family program for holidays for international students. (Student Life, Off-Campus Study, Institutional Diversity)
4. Include non-matriculated, exchange students in graduation ceremony and/award a one year international certificate. (Academic Affairs, Student Life, Off-Campus Study, Institutional Diversity)
5. Meet with international students on a regular basis. (Student Life, Off-Campus Study, Institutional Diversity)
6. Develop academic support services for international students, e.g. tutoring. (Academic Affairs, Student Life, Off-Campus Study, Institutional Diversity)
7. Join regional LGBTQ collaborative and work with the Q-Center on education and leadership development. (Student Life, Institutional Diversity)
8. Increase multicultural producst in the Wells Bookstore. (Finance/Treasurer, Bookstore, Institutional Diversity)

To ensure that administrative and governance systems that are clear, inclusive, equitable, and foster a culture of organizational learning.

Focus 1: Create effective and efficient diversity committee structures and processes.

1. Identify purpose and goals of specific committees and relationships between commmittees. (Office of Institutional Diversity)
2. Identify options for renewing diversity committee structures and processes and adopt proposals after dialogue and deliberation with individuals and groups. (Office of Institutional Diversity)

1. Use current student, staff, and faculty publications for regular communication regarding issues of diversity and inclusion. (Academic Affairs, Admissions, Communications, Finance/Treasurer, Office of the President, Off-Campus Study, Student Life, Institutional Diversity)
2. Create a feedback mechanism for the campus related to the diversity initiative. (Office of Institutional Diversity)
3. Implement an annual (year-end) assessment of diversity goals –e.g., list of diversity accomplishments and "areas to work on" by academic program and administrative units. (Academic Affairs, Admissions, Communications, Finance/Treasurer, Office of the President, Off-Campus Study, Student Life, Institutional Diversity)
4. Further develop Wells’ diversity website. (Office of Institutional Diversity)
5. Hold a spring forum creating a campus-wide, shared understanding of diversity, inclusion, interculturalism, globalism. (Academic Affairs, Admissions, Communications, Finance/Treasurer, Office of the President, Off-Campus Study, Student Life, Institutional Diversity)

1. Create an organizational chart. (Academic Affairs, Admissions, Communications, Finance/Treasurer, Office of the President, Student Life,)
2. Initiate opportunities to develop a plan to assess current governance structures and processes. (Academic Affairs, Admissions, Communications, Finance/Treasurer, Office of the President, Off-Campus Study, Student Life, Institutional Diversity)

To support teaching and learning practices that incorporate diverse perspectives and practices, enhance cultural competency, and facilitate intercultural learning.

Focus 1: Develop a campus-wide intercultural speakers series.

1. Explore financial and structural processes for implementing the series in 2008-09. (Off-Campus Study, Institutional Diversity)

1. Create a professional development series for faculty. (Academic Affairs, Institutional Diversity)
2. Create and find appropriate structure to maintain Third Thursday professional development series. (Academic Affairs, Student Life, Institutional Diversity)
3. Collaborate with regional colleges and universities. (Office of Institutional Diversity)

1. Explore opportunities with Bethune-Cookman University and Lincoln University. (Academic Affairs, Student Life, Institutional Diversity)

1. Work with the 10 Year Academic Planning Committee on identifying current and new courses, programs and initiatives. (Academic Affairs, Off-Campus Study, Institutional Diversity)

To provide opportunities for faculty, staff, administration, and students to engage in intercultural and diversity related scholarship.

Focus 1: Increase opportunities for faculty, students, staff, and administration to pursue cross-cultural relationship.

1. Identify opportunities such as Fulbright scholarships, and study-abroad. (Academic Affairs, Off-Campus Study)