Commitment Area 3: Teaching & Learning
Develop a learning environment that fosters cultural competencies through curricular and co-curricular content and experiences, within a social justice framework. Ensure that students and employees become literate in their own and other cultures and experiences, and are competent in interacting across differences. Foster cognitive complexity and critical thinking in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
Teaching & Learning
Leadership
Accountable: Interim Provost Chris Plouff & University Academic Senate Chair Felix Ngassa
Check out the related items in the 15-point charge issued by President Mantella in June 2020.
Co-curricular anti-racism and racial equity programming
The Social Justice Centers regularly engage in campus-wide programming on racial equity/justice issues. There is room to have these co-curricular events more closely connected to student learning through INT 100, 201 and Honors, reaching about 1,800 mostly first-year students. Expansion to GE Diversity courses could increase this to at least 2,500 students.
Contact: Marlene Kowalski-Braun
Review of and recommendations for academic requirements for racial equity
All students must fulfill a general education U.S. Diversity requirement, which includes a specific learning goal relating to race & racial equity with the specific learning outcome: “Explain how social constructions of ethnicity/race and at least one of the following social attributes shape group and individual identities: gender, class, abilities, age, sexual orientation, religion, or common history.” The General Education Committee was charged this year to assess this very goal to be sure it is meeting its intention. The charge from the University Academic Senate reads as follows:
- Teaching about Systemic Racism - Review the General Education curriculum - particularly US Diversity and Global Perspectives student learning outcomes – and recommend revisions to increase students’ understanding of the impact of systemic discrimination and racial inequity on individuals, communities, and society as a whole.
- Equity in Learning - Review the data from the General Education learning outcomes assessment from the previous two cycles to determine whether they reveal demographic differences in student learning outcomes and make recommendations.
Contact: Ellen Schendel
Racial equity discipline-focused discussions
The Provost will be working with the Deans to develop engagement of students around racial equity issues in their academic majors and chosen professional tracks.
Contacts: Ellen Schendel & Marlene Kowalski-Braun
Explore opportunities for first-year seminar/experience with a racial equity foundation
FYE acceleration team formed, with specific attention to inclusion and equity.
Contacts: Vice President Donta Truss, Vice President Jesse Bernal, and Associate Vice President Suzanne Bennett
Pew FTLC Inclusive Excellence initiative
The Pew FTLC Inclusive Excellence initiative supports building faculty capacity for creating inclusive learning environments.
Contact: Vice Provost Christine Rener