Action Item (as stated with DEI strategic plan launch in 2016)
The university will use data-driven best practices to increase capacity and improve its overall effectiveness in providing resources for student support and educational programming to improve the campus climate. In addition, student communications will focus on raising awareness about—and increasing utilization of—related resources, organizations and channels for reporting campus climate concerns.
DEI 1.0 Evaluation Update
Based on a “snapshot” inventory conducted by Student Life (SL), there were 92,000+ total student contacts across 121 advocacy, transition support and educational offerings during DEI 1.0. Among its accomplishments during those five years, Student Life launched a Health and Wellness Team to identify best practices in the integration of wellness models, pinpoint areas for improvement and expand current programs and resources. SL also devoted 158 hours to formal training for peer educators in social justice and intercultural development programs throughout the division. This was in addition to presenting 66 Social Justice Education and Intercultural Development programs. Other offerings included workshops in respectful communities, anti-racism and coalition building teach-ins as well as training sessions in sexual assault policy and prevention, hazing, bystander intervention, and coping skills.
The Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA) new large grants program provided $43,000 in programmatic support distributed across 13 grants, while the small grants program awarded $49,318 to 72 of the more than 100 proposals it received. Student Life also:
- Provided nearly $90,000 in emergency financial assistance to 128 students
- Offered support to more than 400 students through critical incident case management services
- Met with students through 3,243 tele-counseling appointments, 354 online screenings and 130 virtual wellness coaching sessions
- Connected with over 10,000 students through the Student Well-Being website
- Supported 500 shoppers at the Maize and Blue Cupboard
- Engaged thousands of students through online office hours, chat programs, and virtual events.
From July 1, 2020 to May 27, 2021, the Campus Climate Support Team (CCST), housed within the Dean of Students Office, received 63 reports of campus climate concerns representing 48 unique concerns and assisted 53 students and responded to 13 non-affiliated reporters. Also in Year Five, the peer-led MESA Anti-Racism and Coalition Building Teach-In program conducted 59 virtual teach-ins attended by 1,370 participants.
Responsibility: Division of Student Life