Morgridge College of Education--University of Denver Diversity Plan
Revised by Members of the Diversity Committee
March, 2006
Presented to the College of the Whole for approval and adoption
April 4, 2006
MCE Diversity Committee Members:
*Rich Biffle (Curriculum and Instruction/Teacher Education Program)
*Maria Riva (Counseling Psychology)
Gloria Miller (Child, Family and School Psychology)
Jesse Valdez (Counseling Psychology)
Edith King (Curriculum and Instruction)
Maria Salazar (Curriculum and Instruction)
Frank Tuitt (Higher Education)
Clara Sitter (Library Information Science)
Duan Zhang (Quantitative Research Methods)
Priscilla Lehman (Morgridge College of Education Administration)
Nyla Kimmett (Academic Youth Programs)
*Committee Co-Chairpersons
Introduction
An effective Diversity Plan bridges the gap between the stated goals of the Chancellor's Diversity Statement, Morgridge College of Education, and MCE Diversity Committee. In addition, the plan addresses the many challenges to achieving an atmosphere that respects and embraces diversity and excellence. In this regard a diversity plan advances the creation, dissemination, and application of knowledge in an inclusive learning community. An effective MCE Diversity Plan recognizes the importance of educating the university community to live and work in an increasingly diverse society and the historical exclusion of women and underrepresented populations from various academic disciplines and occupations.
The following information is provided to all members of the Morgridge College of Education community for review and comment. It is critically important that the "voices of the MCE community" are heard in this process in moving forward toward a plan that is embraced by all. Chancellor Coombe's Diversity Statement is included so that we can compare and contrast his remarks to our overall planning efforts. We believe that our plan should support the university diversity goals and activities addressed in his comments, as well as identifying specific areas of work related to MCE. The MCE Diversity Committee strongly encourages all members of the community to review our initial draft document and provide your thoughts to this significant initiative. This is a "living" document and as such is a work in progress.
Diversity Statement ? Chancellor Robert Coombe
"We believe that one mark of a leading university is its commitment to diversity and the concomitant practice of recognizing and valuing the rich experiences and world views of individuals and groups. Diversity yields many benefits to institutions that successfully cultivate diversity within their educational, research and community service activities. By achieving and maintaining a multicultural constituency of administrators, faculty, students and staff, an institution successfully connects with the demographic reality of society. The institution gains an edge in educational and research opportunities and in preparing students for living and working in an increasingly diverse and global society.
The University of Denver community is strongly committed to the pursuit of excellence by including and integrating individuals who represent different groups as defined by race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, age, disability, national origin and religion.
The University's commitment to diversity in particular requires that we attract members of historically under-represented racial and ethnic groups. To create a rich academic, intellectual and cultural environment for everyone, our concern must extend beyond representation to genuine participation. Our commitment must entail the creation of initiatives and programs designed to capitalize on the benefits of diversity in education, research and service. In sum, our actions must speak louder than our words.
We also believe that in order to achieve our goals, we must create a campus climate with an ethos of respect, understanding and appreciation of individual and group differences. We must encourage the pursuit of social justice within and outside the institution.
A positive campus climate requires the University's sincere willingness to include all its diverse stakeholders in the decision-making process. No individual or group can be marginalized or systematically excluded. We aim for change within the University and ultimately, beyond the University. We seek to be leaders in the creation of a more inclusive and just world.
For more information about our efforts to ensure that the University of Denver (DU) continues to be an exceptional private institution that seeks to achieve excellence through diversity, please visit the Center for Multicultural Excellence (CME) Web site."
MCE Diversity Plan ? Phase I
MCE Working Definition of Diversity
A commitment to understanding the ways in which individuals and groups vary in terms
of values, beliefs, and/or behavioral norms. It is a process of valuing individual
and group differences by promoting non-prejudicial attitudes and inclusive actions
in a safe and affirming environment.
MCE Diversity Core Values
- MCE is committed to the growth and development of each student, faculty, staff and administrator within a nurturing, inspiring, and safe environment. Areas of focus include intellectual, creative, social, physical, and moral. All members of the MCE community develop self-confidence and high self-esteem at MCE through personal growth, community service and global awareness.
- MCE honors the individual and embraces human differences. The essence of MCE is to value all students, faculty, staff and administrators equally while treating all members of the MCE community fairly. The MCE meets each individual's needs in an environment of respect, responsibility, relationship and accountability.
- MCE is committed to accessibility. MCE is intent on removing barriers ? financial, cultural, and physical ? that might impede student, faculty, staff and administrators' access to MCE.
- MCE and its programs are sustainable. As such, MCE operates within an environment of financial stability and accountability. It uses all resources ? both physical and human capital ? wisely and carefully.
- MCE is an active, contributing partner in the broader community. As citizens
of the world at large, the college community shares its talents and knowledge in support of the common good.
MCE Diversity Goals
- To provide opportunities to explore definitions of diversity
- To promote authentic and safe dialogue on issues that reflect diversity
- To collaborate in preparing students to teach in an increasingly diverse and global society
- To encourage the pursuit of social justice through research, scholarship, service, and community partnerships
- To advance recruitment and retention of administration, faculty, staff, and students of color
- To construct an inclusive climate for all members of the MCE community such as administrators, faculty, staff, and students
- To develop and maintain a collaborative relationship with the Center for Multicultural Excellence
- To become a leader in the effort to bring diversity to the forefront at the University of Denver
- To understand how the efforts of the diversity committee impact the professional development and professional evaluation process in MCE
