Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources Committee

Membership of Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources Committee

A.        Mission

The committee will promote collaboration and communication by bringing together leaders from identified constituency groups to initiate cooperative programs and facilitate opportunities for multicultural dialogue.  The committee will stress the importance of celebrating our unique differences while focusing on the commonalties of themes and issues that unite us.

Reporting to and advising the assistant vice president for affirmative action and diversity resources, the Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources Committee can give a stronger voice to the university's diverse populations by establishing a unified body and encouraging coordinated action.

The AADR Committee representative will fill the communication role of presidential liaison and will be the voice of their respective commissions, committees and constituencies.  The AADR Committee will be a mechanism to report issues to the assistant vice president for affirmative action and diversity resources who will report concerns directly to the president and designated administrative officers.

B.       Vision Statement

The Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources Committee will be evolving in nature and reflect the changing dynamics of NIU demographics in student population,  faculty and staff and assist in the strategic planning and incorporation of diversity initiatives throughout the university.  Consequently, the committee's membership can change and grow as NIU constituency groups change, grow and are added to the university community; and the committee's goals and objectives can be revised to reflect the changing diversity at NIU.

C.         Objectives

1. The committee shall advise the assistant vice presisdent for affirmative action and diversity resources on the development and implementation of policies and programs designed to improve the campus environment for members of all university constituencies, maximize training, and prepare student to live in a diverse society.
2. The committee will consider issues and problems on campus that may be especially relevant to specific population groups and will advise the assistant vice president on potential remedies.
3. The committee will provide a forum for highlighting events that address diversity issues.
4. The committee will report on its work as appropriate to the university president and shall file a year-end report with the president, who will share the report with university community.

D.           Membership

The AADR Committee shall serve as an advisory board to the assistant vice president for affirmative action and diversity resources.  Its membership shall include the following:

the president or his/her representative;
assistant vice president for affirmative action and diversity resources;
one representative from the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women;
one representative from the Presidential Commission on the Status of Minorities;
one representative from the Presidential Commission on Persons with Disabilities;
one representative from the Presidential Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity;
one representative from the Women's Resource Center;
one representative from the Center for Black Studies;
one representative from the Latino Resource Center;
one representative from the Unity in Diversity Committee;
one representative from the Committee on the Undergraduate Academic Environment;
one representative from the International Student and Faculty Office;
the faculty and SPS personnel advisor;
the ombudsman;
the director of recruitment and student support services in the Graduate School;
the Student Association director of cultural affairs;
one representative from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center responsible for lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender programming;
one representative from the Asian American Center;
one Native American representative;
one representative from the Center for Access-Ability Resources.

Each representative constituency shall establish a procedure for selecting its AADRC representative.  The committee shall be chaired by the assistant vice president for affirmative action and diversity resources, and the Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources administrative assistant shall provide staff support for the committee.

Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources Committee

*      chair
**    vice chair
***  secretary
+     ex officio
++   ex officio, nonvoting