University of Texas At Austin Unveils Diversity And Inclusion Plan

AUSTIN, TX — University of Texas at Austin officials on Thursday unveiled the school's first diversity and inclusion plan to serve as a blueprint for creating a more inclusive campus culture.

The plan includes strategies that will affect all schools, colleges and administrative units on campus, university officials said. The plan's goals center on strengthening minority undergraduate and graduate student recruitment efforts and expanding professional development for faculty members to support inclusive classroom environments, according to university officials.

“The purpose of this plan is to establish clear guidelines for how the university can provide an exemplary experience for students, faculty and staff of all backgrounds,” UT Austin President Gregory L. Fenves said in an email to campus announcing the new plan. “It is a blueprint that sets goals and outlines steps for the future. The action plan calls on the effort of every member of our community to bring these guidelines and practices to life at UT.”

The plan was developed during the past six months by Gregory J. Vincent, vice president for diversity and community engagement; Maurie McInnis, executive vice president and provost; and Soncia Reagins-Lilly, vice president for student affairs. In creating the plan, the three sought input from stakeholders across the university, including Student Government representatives. The plan also includes goals for assessment and accountability.

Among the key action items outlined in the plan are:

• Ensuring diverse representation on hiring committees;
• Developing and implementing comprehensive campus climate assessments that are individualized for faculty members, staff members and students;
• Investing in new student housing so more students can live on campus and more students can have a common first-year experience on campus;
• Establishing more accessible paths of travel on campus;
• Continuing community outreach initiatives including those that create pathways from pre-academic readiness efforts to higher education;
• Expanding multicultural philanthropy and alumni engagement;
• Continuing to enhance the university’s relationships with historically underutilized businesses (HUBs).

“Just as the university has a master campus plan for its physical spaces, we wanted to develop a comprehensive plan to guide the institution as it supports a more diverse and inclusive campus culture,” Vincent said. “Many colleges, schools and departments have long had diversity and inclusion initiatives. This plan strengthens these efforts and helps make certain we are all doing our part to build a strong inclusive culture where all members of the community are respected and the educational experience for our students is enhanced by diverse people, scholarship and ideas.”

Vincent described the resulting plan as a living document that is adaptable to the changing needs of the university through time. Included in the plan are a number of action items that have been established university strategies set to continue in being implemented. Others focus on new initiatives and strategies that will be implemented over time, officials said.

Members of the UT Austin community may provide online feedback about the plan through May 15.

>>> Photo provided by University of Texas at Austin