Equity Values for the
Office of Equity and Inclusive Excellence
are based on the University’s Strategic Plan

We are equity-minded, inclusive, and respectful. We embrace individual and cultural differences as a strength of our diverse community, and share in the responsibility to create a positive culture in which each member is accepted, valued and safe – and thrives.

The President’s Commission on Equity and Inclusive Excellence (PCOE₂)
Commonly Accepted Campus Language and Definitions

Members of the PCOE used various methodologies and outreach to formulate the initial Statement on Equity. The campus adopted, with slight modifications, the AAC&U's definitions of diversity, inclusion, equity, and equity-mindedness.  The Commission focused on a common language for understanding inclusive excellence within the campus community and currently has identified seven particularly relevant terms:

• Diversity: Valuing individual differences (e.g., personality, learning preferences, and life experiences) and group/social differences (e.g., race/ethnicity, color, sex, economic status, national origin, age, genetic information, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, country of origin, disability, and veteran/military status as well as cultural, political, religious, or other affiliations) that can be used in the service of learning for all.
• Inclusion: Active, intentional, and ongoing engagement with diversity – in the curriculum, in the co-curriculum, and in communities (intellectual, social, cultural, geographical) with which individuals might connect–in ways that increase awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within and change systems and institutions.
• Equity: Creation of opportunities for historically underrepresented populations to have equal access to and participate in educational programs that are capable of closing the achievement gaps in student success and completion.
• Equity-Mindedness: Awareness of and willingness to address equity issues among institutional leaders and staff.  (Source:  Center for Urban Education, University of Southern California)
• Cultural knowledge and understanding:  Attitudes, skills, and knowledge that enable individuals and organizations to acknowledge cultural differences and incorporate these differences when working with people from diverse cultures.
• Advocacy:  Promoting the interests or cause of someone or a group of people; influencing public attitudes, policies, and laws to create a more socially just society guided by the vision of human rights; helping people find their voice. (Source:  West Virginia University's Center for Excellence in Disabilities and Penn State University's Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity)
• Equality:  Evenly distributed access to resources and opportunities necessary for a safe and healthy life; uniform distribution of access that may or may not result in equitable outcomes. (Source:  University of Houston's Center for Diversity and Inclusion.)