Ferris State University, MI Diversity Action Team
Ferris State University,
MI,
US
Type: Program
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/current/dit.htm
Description:
The purpose of the Diversity Action Team (DAT) is to review and respond as appropriate to reported incidents involving issues of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, and nationality that affect Ferris State University students. The team will provide University administration with documentation of reported incidents and team activity annually. The team also provides the University community with a central point for the reporting of incidents related to diversity from key units on the campus: Office of Student Conduct, Equal Opportunity, Multicultural Student Services, SAFE Place, Residential Life, the Department of Public Safety, the Office of International Affairs, Student Leadership and Activities, Disabilities Services, and others as needed.
It is an important goal for the Team to provide education for all parties involved in these particular types of incidents, and to support alleged victims. Moreover, it is a primary goal of this team to function in ways that support the University mission and its underlying policies, including but not limited to: the Employee and Student Dignity Policy, the Equal Employment Policy, the University's Core Values Statement, and Bulldog Values.
Functions of the Diversity Action Team are:
- To communicate incidents of discrimination or harassment based on race/ethnicity, gender, ability, nationality, class, religion, or other differences among students. The communication will occur between members of the Team as an initial step in the process of determining a resolution to these circumstances.
- To document reported incidents at regularly scheduled meetings.
- To assure investigation and follow-up on incidents reported, the DAT will determine which Team member has responsibility to investigate and/or follow-up on the report.
- To participate in the educative process, the DAT will take part in training and mediation, diversity in higher education and similarly established problems at other institutions.
- To report incidents annually to University administration.
- To continually assess the University climate in relation to diversity.
- To advocate for justice, equality and equity within the campus community.