The Diversity and Inclusion Task Force convened in May 2014 at the request of the president and the provost. The task force consisted of 16 faculty and staff and was chaired by associate vice-president/director of Athletics Sean Frazier and Professor Laura Vazquez of the Department of Communication. The group was charged with exploring issues that pertain to diversity and inclusion at NIU with the ultimate goal of doing the groundwork for the hiring of NIU's first chief diversity officer.
The task force completed their work and produced a thorough Diversity and Inclusion Task Force report (PDF) released in fall 2014. This report consisted of 13 recommendations, which are the foundation of Edghill-Walden's plan for improving the university commitment to diversity and inclusion. The key initiatives informing the plan to improve NIU center around access, academic equity, inclusion and professional development and training. We continue to engage faculty in curricular transformations to enhance student learning and to improve academic equity at NIU.
Taskforce recommendation: Add mandatory human diversity requirement to general education curriculum in Progressive Learning in Undergraduate Studies (PLUS) curriculum.
Initiated spring 2016. The human diversity requirement was implemented fall 2017. View a complete list of all courses that meet the human diversity requirement.
Taskforce recommendation: Create college/department specific diversity strategic plans including accountability and assessment.
Initiated summer 2016 and completed spring 2017.
Taskforce recommendation: Create a Diversity and Inclusion Council to enhance lateral diversity relationships, implement organizational diversity socialization and create culturally responsive pedagogy and practice.
Initiated spring 2016 and is on-going.
Chief diversity officer recommendation: Address academic equity gaps for students of color.
Initiated spring 2016 and on-going.
Taskforce recommendation: Continue curricular transformations to enhance students' cultural competency.
Initiated spring and fall 2016 and is ongoing in partnership with the Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications.
Initiated fall 2016 and was completed fall 2017.
Taskforce recommendation: Implement strategic campus-wide facilitated diversity dialogues.
Initiated spring 2016 and is on-going.
Taskforce recommendation: Enhance NIU’s brand identity regarding diversity to show we embrace our diversity and accessibility proudly.
Initiated spring 2016 and ongoing.
Taskforce recommendation: Conduct a campus climate survey addressing diversity needs and follow up with assessments to help keep us on track.
Initiated spring 2016 and ongoing.
Taskforce recommendation: Make appropriate necessary changes in hiring practices that will diversify NIU’s faculty and staff.
Initiated in fall 2016 and is on-going.
Taskforce recommendation: Expand and support diversity programming for students to eliminate silos and improve coordination with student groups.
Initiated fall 2016 and is on-going.
Taskforce recommendation: Educate faculty, staff and students on cultural competency to strengthen hiring practices for faculty and staff diversification and to improve diversity dialogues on campus.
Initiated summer 2016 and is on-going.