RESOLUTION PASSED AT THE OCTOBER 11, 2014 MEETING OF THE CIIS BOARD OF TRUSTEES
RESOLUTION FOR A PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVE ON DIVERSITY, INCLUSIVITY, AND INTERCULTURAL SENSITIVITY
WHEREAS the California Institute of Integral Studies is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all of the members of its community, and
WHEREAS the Institute is further committed to providing an educational experience that effectively prepares its graduates to serve in a society of increasingly diverse cultures and worldviews, and
WHEREAS the Institute continues to face a number of challenges in meeting these commitments, and
WHEREAS the strategic planning endeavor presently underway provides a specific planning team on diversity and an appropriate context to renew, expand, and fully realize the above commitments,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees calls for the creation of a Presidential Initiative on Diversity, Inclusivity, and Intercultural Sensitivity, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the areas of focus for achievement of this Initiative will include:
Curricula
- Conduct an audit of the entire curriculum to assess diversity, inclusivity and intercultural sensitivity
- Embed desired diversity, inclusivity, and intercultural sensitivity in degree level proficiencies, school learning outcomes, and program learning outcomes
- Prioritize curriculum diversity, inclusivity, and intercultural sensitivity in the review processes of the Curriculum Approval and Review Committee (CARC)
- Conduct an assessment of teaching effectiveness in addressing issues of diversity, inclusivity, and intercultural sensitivity
- Develop student training programs for deepening understanding and conflict resolution skills around issues of diversity, inclusion, and intercultural sensitivity in formal and informal learning environments.
Student Recruitment and Financial Aid
- Increase diversity, inclusivity, and intercultural sensitivity training and development among staff and faculty participating in recruitment and admission decision processes
- Improve transparency of materials and advising regarding total costs of attendance
- Incorporate diversity, inclusivity, and intercultural sensitivity goals in financial aid processes
- Allocate increased funding for diversity and inclusivity scholarships and student transitional funding needs
Faculty and staff recruitment, hiring, training, review, and promotion
- Prioritize diversity, inclusivity, and intercultural sensitivity in hiring processes and set and monitor expectations for creating more diverse and inclusive candidate pools and Institute faculty and staff
- Embed diversity, inclusivity, and intercultural sensitivity competencies as criteria in the assessment of faculty and staff performance and eligibility for promotion
- Incorporate diversity, inclusivity, and intercultural sensitivity expectations in the Faculty and Staff Handbooks
- Provide training and consultative resources for faculty to increase awareness of white privilege, deepen diversity, inclusivity, and intercultural sensitivity competencies, and hone pedagogical skills in creating classroom environments that are safe and respectful to all
Student Advising and Mentoring
- Improve the effectiveness of student advising, especially in relation to matters of diversity, inclusivity, and intercultural sensitivity
- Provide expanded opportunities for mentoring, counseling, and career support for historically underrepresented students and other marginalized groups
Institute Structure and Finance
- Enhance ongoing data gathering and analysis to more fully understand diversity, inclusivity, and intercultural sensitivity challenges facing the Institute
- Explore housing the responsibility for the implementation of the above initiative in a Chief Diversity Officer
- Commit sufficient funding to implement the various components of the Initiative.
AND, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the CIIS president will personally lead this Initiative in consultation with students, staff, faculty, administrators, alumni, and trustees of the Institute and will provide the Board with a progress report at each of its meetings.
