Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
As I mentioned last week, over the summer, University leaders will provide regular updates on our progress in addressing critical issues. Today’s update covers many important areas, including the student conduct process, the disability audit and human resources.
Student Conduct Process
- Two students have accepted a University-proposed sanction following the informal resolution process.
- Hearings for the remaining 16 students are underway, and the University Conduct Board will issue decisions in all 16 cases after hearings conclude. Should any party want to appeal, the case will go to the University Appeals Board for review.
- None of the 18 students will participate in Commencement or Commencement-related activities.
Disability Audit
- The Disability Audit Steering Committee met on Friday, May 4, to receive its formal charge.
- The committee discussed the scope of the audit and is now working on the Request for Proposals (RFP) to engage a consultant.
- The committee expects to have the RFP ready for distribution within two weeks.
Arch Pool
- We have continued to gather feedback from students, faculty and staff, with more than 1,000 interactions, including a campuswide forum.
- That feedback has led to a redesign of the pool. The updated pool design will include a six-lane lap pool for swimming and water activities, as well as a spa pool, and will better welcome those with disabilities.
- The lap pool will have a zero-depth, accessible entry and an ADA lift, both of which will be located at the north end.
Human Resources
- Following a search process, the University has this week hired a new member of the human resources talent management team to provide support to faculty search committees in diversity hiring and assisting dual career candidates. The team member will join the University in late June.
Education: First Year Forum
- Through work in the Provost’s Office and with our deans, the revision of the First Year Forum is underway.
- Academic leaders have indicated that, starting this fall semester, every school and college will offer a consistent curriculum of cultural competencies—including ethics and integrity, and diversity and inclusion—as part of their first year forum or program introductory course.
- Mastery of these competencies will represent a significant portion of the grade in the class, supplemented by education and training in health and wellness and campus safety in other first-year student experiences like orientation.
- Details on how we will engage the campus community—including faculty, students and subject matter experts—in the curriculum design will be announced by June 15.
College of Engineering and Computer Science and Other Schools and Colleges
- The College of Engineering and Computer Science will establish an Office of Inclusive Excellence this summer. The office will augment student services, faculty and staff practices, and programming designed to enhance the culture of diversity, inclusion and equity. In July and August, leaders from the College will participate in the National Inclusive Excellence Leadership Academy to help inform creation of the office and programs offered.
Diversity & Inclusion Council Recommendations
- The Council on Diversity and Inclusion recently shared an update with the campus community about progress toward the short-term and long-term recommendations. The full update can be found here.
Our next update will be in two weeks.
Sincerely,
Chancellor Kent Syverud