IU SOUTH BEND DIVERSITY PLAN : DIVERSITY VISION STATEMENT

IU SOUTH BEND DIVERSITY PLAN

DIVERSITY VISION STATEMENT

Indiana University South Bend, an urban, public, comprehensive university strives to
nurture and sustain a teaching, learning and working environment that fosters respect for
each individual and honors the differences among all people. These include, but are not
limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, age, socio-economic class, national and regional origin,
disability, sexual orientation and religion. As an intellectual community of scholars and
learners we recognize and appreciate the common humanity that each individual shares.
In so doing we commit to the following principles:

• We will respect and appreciate all manifestations of diversity.
• We will develop a sense of community that is inclusive of all people.
• We will honor and celebrate the contributions of all groups as we create,
disseminate, preserve, and apply knowledge.
• We will foster intercultural and cross-cultural dialogue among all groups.
• We will pursue a genuine understanding of the unique differences our shared
humanity.
• We will work affirmatively in the recruitment and retention of faculty, staff
and students from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups and develop
quantifiable measures of success.
• We will commit to social justice and equality.

Gladly acknowledging that we live in a pluralistic society that is multi-racial and
international and multi-faceted in lifestyle, we have a genuine desire to ensure that groups
feel empowered to exercise their individuality. These principles underscore our central
mission of teaching and learning and are vital to our liberal arts mission. They also serve
as the foundation for promoting the economic, social and cultural well-being of our
region.



Adopted by the Ad-Hoc EMA Diversity Committee/December 13, 2007

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IU South Bend Diversity Plan
Goals for Institution Leadership & Commitment

Indiana University South Bend draws from and has representation from a rich diversity of the population of north central Indiana and southwestern
Michigan. This region has populations of Native Americans; African Americans; Hispanic -, Polish-, Italian-, Hungarian-, and Asian-Americans. In
addition, the campus has about 200 international students each year, and the South Bend English Institute (housed on the IU South Bend campus) has
up to thirty international students enrolled in each of several sessions throughout the calendar year. The campus has a history of drawing non-
traditional age students, particularly to its General Studies undergraduate program and Business and Education graduate programs. Additionally,
strong connections to the community have already been built around such programs as the annual Conversations on Race, and campus involvement
in the South Bend Natatorium project. This regional and historical context can be leveraged to build campus diversity and highlight the campus’
strengths.

Key elements of the development of diversity as part of the campus identity include drawing existing diversity initiatives together into a cohesive
program through the re-organization of responsibilities and positions under an Office for Diversity, marketing of diversity as a key characteristic of
the campus, and supporting curricular and non-curricular initiatives. Campus diversity efforts are many but diffuse and communication regarding
programs and practices aimed at enhancing minority attainment is lacking. As a result, certain departments, programs, academic units, and individual
faculty and staff may not be aware of what their colleagues are doing to enhance minority attainment on campus. This may lead to duplication of
services, poor linkages between diversity initiatives, and unaddressed areas in our diversity efforts. There are no new funds for diversity efforts
unless grants or philanthropic funds are received. Nonetheless, current programs can be identified and consolidated for greater efficiency while
Public Affairs and University Development seeks additional funding.

Making diversity a priority on campus will benefit the campus and the community by drawing greater numbers of students with rich cultural
backgrounds to a supportive academic environment, in which we seek to understand and celebrate diversity as a strength.
December 17, 2007
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ASSESSMENT
GOALS, ACTION STRATEGIES, & 
PERFORMANCE
FISCAL
CHALLENGES
STRATEGIES &
OBJECTIVES
TIME FRAME
INDICATORS &
NEEDS
PROCEDURES
ACCOUNTABILITY
Institutional Leadership and Commitment
GOAL 1: Establish diversity as a campus priority.
Obje ctive 1.1: Public Affairs and
Unive rsity De ve lopme nt will
Che ck NSSE for
make broade r dive rsity part of the
que stions re late d
Incre ase s in re porte d
campus ide ntity for marke ting,
By June 30,
No additional
Prioritizing funds
to campus climate
dive rsity; change s in
including traditional stude nts,
2008
funds
and add, if
NSSE re sults
dive rse faculty & staff,
ne ce ssary.
inte rnational stude nts, and using
the campus we bsite .
Obje ctive 1.2: The Campus
Pre se nting and
Dire ctions Committe e will include
having acce pte d
Comple tion of
Pre se nce of dive rsity in
2009
None
dive rsity in the campus Strate gic
as part of the
monitoring plan
the Strate gic Plan
Plan.
Strate gic Plan
Obje ctive 1.3: The campus will
Various units
support dive rsity aware ne ss
must be willing to
The numbe r of
workshops for faculty, staff, and
plan and pre se nt
dive rsity
Ye ar e nd re porting of
stude nts through UCET, Stude nt
2008 -
Varie s
workshops on a
aware ne ss
activitie s by Affirmative
Se rvice s, Stude nt Gove rnme nt,
continuing basis.
workshops
Action
and Administrative & Fiscal
Funds must be
incre ase s.
Affairs.
prioritize d.
Broade r campus
Obje ctive 1.4: The Office of
and community
Affirmative Action will
No additional
aware ne ss of
Ye ar e nd re porting to
communicate the annual re port on
Annually
None
funds
affirmative action
Chance llor
affirmative action and dive rsity
and dive rsity
activitie s broadly.
activitie s

December 17, 2007
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ASSESSMENT
GOALS, ACTION STRATEGIES, & 
PERFORMANCE
FISCAL
CHALLENGES
STRATEGIES &
OBJECTIVES
TIME FRAME
INDICATORS &
NEEDS
PROCEDURES
ACCOUNTABILITY
Institutional Leadership and Commitment

GOAL 2: Develop the appropriate adiministrative organization to lead, facilitate and monitor diversity initiatives on
the IU South Bend campus, and coordinate with university initiatives.
Objective 2.1: The Chancellor's
Cabinet will conduct a systems
analysis on the support and
Results included
initiatives we now have in place for
in Vice
Campus communication of
diversity (checking against the

2008

None

None


Chancellors'
results
Affirmative Action annual reports),
annual reports
determine the effectiveness of each,
and use the results to guide diversity
initiatives.
Objective 2.2: The Chancellor's
Cabinet will review the current
administrative structure to
Assessment of diversity
consolidate positions and
Resistance to
Completion of

2008

None



activities within a new
responsibilities into an Office for
restructuring
plan
structure
Diversity to facilitate diversity
monitoring, activity, programs,
initiatives, etc.





December 17, 2007
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ASSESSMENT
GOALS, ACTION STRATEGIES, & 
PERFORMANCE
FISCAL
CHALLENGES
STRATEGIES &
OBJECTIVES
TIME FRAME
INDICATORS &
NEEDS
PROCEDURES
ACCOUNTABILITY
Institutional Leadership and Commitment

GOAL 3: Provide funding to recruitment and retention of minority faculty, staff and students; and to support
programs on diversity.
Objective 3.1: Academic Affairs,
Determine
Student Affairs, and Administrative
Resource
impact of
Completion of task &
& Fiscal Affairs will review funding

2008

Unknown



constraints
instituted
communication to campus
and effectiveness of current diversity
changes
initiatives.
Objective 3.2: The Chancellor will
Completion of
establish permanent funding for
Resource
Communication to

AY 2009-10

Unknown


established

diversity programs having long-
constraints
campus
budgets
term commitments.
Objective 3.3: Public Affairs and
Prioritizing of
University Development will seek
Monitoring
Increased numbers of

Ongoing

None

fund


grant or philanthropic funding
objectives
funded activities
development
sources for particular initiatives.
GOAL 4: Academic Affairs and Administrative & Fiscal Affairs will review recruitment, hiring, salary and
promotions to determine the current status and areas in which there may be equity or diversity issues to address, or
achievements to report.
Implementation of
Evaluations of


2008-09

None

None


changes in hiring as a
results
result of findings
December 17, 2007
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ASSESSMENT 
GOALS, ACTION 
FISCAL 
STRATEGIES 
PERFORMANCE 
STRATEGIES, & OBJECTIVES   
TIME FRAME   
NEEDS  
 
CHALLENGES 
 
& 
 
INDICATORS & 
PROCEDURES 
ACCOUNTABILITY  
Curricular & Co curricular Transformation
Goal 1: Offer courses focused on diversity and globalization in the graduate curriculum 
Objective 1: Do an inventory of 
Graduate 
Associate Vice Chancellor for 
current coverage of diversity and 
Council will 
  
By May 2008.   
  
None. 
  
None 
  
   Graduate Programs and Research 
globalization in the graduate 
review the 
will oversee this objective.  
curriculum.  
inventory.  
Students are 
Objective 2: Target programs that 
demonstrating 
don't have enough coverage and 
Have a 
Faculty time. Limit 
an awareness of 
Associate Vice Chancellor for 
identify where development is 
discussion in fall 
on what one can 
diversity and 
Graduate Programs and Research 
needed. Begin discussions with 
   2008. Develop 
  
None. 
   be included 
   globalization.   
   will oversee this objective. 100% 
Graduate Program Directors and 
initiatives in 
because of 
Each targeted 
participation by graduate 
faculty about how to remedy the 
spring 2009. 
curricula. 
program has 
programs.  
situation.   
developed a 
plan.  
Student learning 
outcomes are 
International 
clear and 
Programs 
supported. 
Chancellor's 
Objective 3: Ensure that ideas 
Students have 
Grants and 
Associate Vice Chancellor for 
related to diversity and 
Implement 
learned about 
other grants 
Graduate Programs and Research 
globalization permeate throughout 
during 2008‐
Faculty time and 
diversity and 
  
   secured by 
  
  
   will oversee this objective. Each 
programs.  Encourage study 
2009 academic 
funding.  
globalization 
Vice 
unit will successfully implement 
abroad programs to help with this 
year.  
which is then 
Chancellor for 
the plan.  
initiative. 
incorporated 
Graduate 
into various 
Programs and 
aspects of their 
Research.  
knowledge, 
work, and life. 
December 17, 2007
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Goal 2: Offer courses focused on diversity and globalization in the undergraduate curriculum 
Objective 1: Do an inventory of 
Deans will 
current coverage of diversity and 
Vice Chancellor for Academic 
  
By May 2008.   
  
None. 
  
None 
   review the 
  
globalization in the undergraduate 
Affairs will oversee this objective.  
inventory.  
curriculum.  
Students are 
demonstrating 
Objective 2: Target programs that 
Have a 
Faculty time. Limit 
an awareness of 
don't have enough coverage and 
Vice Chancellor for Academic 
discussion in fall 
on what one can 
diversity and 
identify where development is 
Affairs will oversee this objective.  
   2008. Develop 
  
None. 
   be included 
   globalization.   
  
needed. Begin discussions with 
100% participation by graduate 
initiatives in 
because of 
Each targeted 
deans and faculty about how to 
programs.  
spring 2009. 
curricula. 
program has 
remedy the situation.   
developed a 
plan.  
Student learning 
outcomes are 
clear and 
International 
supported. 
Objective 3: Ensure that ideas 
Programs 
Students have 
related to diversity and 
Implement 
Chancellor's 
learned about 
Vice Chancellor for Academic 
globalization permeate throughout 
during 2008‐
Grants and 
Faculty time and 
diversity and 
Affairs will oversee this objective. 
  
  
  
  
  
programs. Encourage study abroad 
2009 academic 
other grants 
funding.  
globalization 
Each unit will successfully 
programs to help with this 
year.  
secured for 
which is then 
implement the plan.  
initiative. 
undergraduate 
incorporated 
students.  
into various 
aspects of their 
knowledge, 
work, and life. 
Goal 3: Strengthen campus infrastructure to fulfill the strategic planning goals of enhancing diversity and providing 
global perspective.  
Level of 
Objective 1: UCET needs to 
Funds to 
attendance and 
Assess current 
establish workshops and resources 
conduct focus 
participation; 
funding and assess 
Faculty participation levels; 
to enhance diversity and 
During the 2008‐
groups and 
review of how 
needs and 
number and quality of curricular 
globalization, and provide faculty 
   2009 academic 
   possibly bring 
  
   faculty use 
  
challenges with 
initiatives.  UCET Director will 
colloquia to better understand 
year.  
in experts in 
workshops to 
the help of the 
oversee this objective 
best practices and for faculty to 
different 
implement 
Director of UCET. 
share their experiences.  
areas.  
curricular 
change 
December 17, 2007
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Funding and 
Objective 2: The Jordan 
staffing needs of 
Regular review 
International Center would work 
the Jordan 
of how study 
with programs to establish study 
International 
abroad and 
Number and quality of new study 
During the 2008‐
abroad and exchange 
Center. Lack of 
exchange 
abroad and exchange programs; 
   2009 academic 
  
Unknown 
  
  
  
opportunities. This could proceed 
scholarships. 
opportunities 
Director of International Programs 
year.  
through several stages ‐ review 
Coordination 
increase global 
will oversee this objective.  
current  opportunities; develop a 
between Jordan 
perspectives on 
plan; implement the plan.  
Center and 
campus 
various programs.   
Goal 4: Campus wide coordination of diversity events including student club activities. Improved planning, 
scheduling, and advertising in order to increase participation. 
Challenges 
In the year after 
associated with a 
implementation, 
Representation 
diverse group 
faculty and staff 
from all divisions 
coming together 
will be surveyed 
Objective 1: Create a student, 
and relevant 
and compromising 
about ease of 
Vice Chancellor for Academic 
faculty committee to audit  current 
student service 
on certain things. 
use of 
Affairs and Vice Chancellor for 
resources and practices in 
offices ‐ Spring 
Diversity issues 
coordination 
Student Affairs and Enrollment 
conjunction with the office of 
  
  
None.  
  
  
  
2008. Audit: By 
cannot be 
functions and 
Management  will oversee this 
special events in order to develop 
May 2008. 
addressed without 
survey will be 
objective. Efficient use of 
a campus wide events 
Coordination 
addressing the 
done to see if all 
resources, including attendance.  
coordination plan.  
Plan: By 
structure. 
campus events 
December 2008 
Diversity would be 
are reflected on 
served by a better 
centralized 
plan.  
calendar. 
Assess the 
number of 
Audit current 
modest 
faculty that have 
practices and 
funding to 
made curricular 
Vice Chancellor for Academic 
offerings by mid 
help/ 
Objective 2: Enhance academic co‐
getting buy in 
changes, the 
Affairs will oversee this objective. 
semester spring 
encourage 
curricular activities in the area of 
  
 
  from all schools/ 
   increase in 
  Increase academic co‐curricular 
2007 and 
departments 
diversity 
departments 
academic co‐
activities in the area of diversity by 
develop plan for 
to bring 
curricular 
25%.  
implementation 
speakers to 
activities, and 
fall 2008 
campus 
event 
participation  
December 17, 2007
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Monitor event 
attendance, 
monitor 
Vice Chancellor for Academic 
Objective 3: Improve coordination 
Last minute 
publicity rates 
Affairs and Vice Chancellor for 
Work‐study 
between curricular and co‐
planning of 
(press coverage, 
Student Affairs and Enrollment 
funding to 
curricular activities.  Develop an 
events. Limited 
websites, 
Management  will oversee this 
By December 
post signs, and 
adminstrativite structure in the 
  
  
   communication of 
   bulletin boards 
   objective. Efficient use of 
2008. 
advertising in 
various units for reporting events 
various co‐
used, etc.), and 
resources, including attendance. 
the media and 
for posting on a centralized 
curricular 
monitor number 
Event attendance increases 5% 
community.  
calendar 
activities.  
of faculty 
and a 5% increase in faculty linking 
making 
events to their syllabi.  
curricular 
connections.   

December 17, 2007
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Campus Climate
Diversity sub-committee: Ivan Blount, Cathy Buckman, April Lidinsky (chair), Linda Lucas,
John Novak, Charlotte Pfeifer, De’ Bryant

Context: “Campus climate” might be less easy to define and evaluate than some other aspects
of diversity. And it may, or may not, fall into the “I can’t define it but I recognize it when I see
it” category. With our charge to set specific coals for strengthening the campus climate in
relation to diversity, our sub-committee has tried to point to some of the ways we can make the
campus climate “visible” – to name some of the activities and manifestations in different parts of
our campus of a healthy attitude toward diversity that many of us are likely to “feel,” but may
not yet be able to name.

We appreciate the richness of the definition of diversity set out in the 2005 Strategic Plan: “the
variety created in any society by different social locations, different points of view, and different
ways of making sense out of the world comprise ‘diversity.’ Diversity includes, but is not
limited to: race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, (dis)ability, religion, social class, and status as
a first generation college student.” Our sub-committee’s work has picked up on a number of
these themes, but our conversations are really just the beginning of an important discussion that
should take up all these categories, as well as thinking beyond them.

A desire for a healthy campus climate with regard to diversity is a strong thread running through
the “Bridge to the Future” Self-Study report of fall 2007. This report notes, for example, “The
Office of Campus Diversity has been in existence for over a dozen years and has arranged an
impressive array of diversity programming for the campus during that time period, including the
nationally recognized ‘Conversations on Race’” events (4:12). Further, “the university also
reaches out to the campus and community through the Midwest Black Man’s Think Tank …
campus table talk sessions, town hall meetings, and lectures offered by the Office of Campus
Diversity” (4:12). Global awareness is an important part of enriching consciousness of diversity
on our campus, and the report details ways programming, curricula, and study-abroad
opportunities enrich the campus climate.


The possibilities of campus housing to be a place that fosters an open and affirming attitude
toward diversity is another theme in the Self-Study report, and plays a role in a number of the
goals our committee set forth. Similarly, the Self-Study mentions the importance of student clubs
“through the office of Student Life [which have] provided space for authorized special interest
groups, including the Gay-Straight Alliance, to organize campus events” (7:49). Our goals
reflect this interest in including students, staff, and faculty in engaging in diversity-fostering
activities in all the campus spaces.

The EMA Partner Site Visit Evaluation largely praised the campus climate:

Overall campus climate is safe, accepting, and tolerant of diverse views. The presence of
international students provides backgrounds, experiences, and cultural differences that
are different and promotes new student learning opportunities.
December 17, 2007

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