Sewanee - The University of the South
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

https://new.sewanee.edu/files/resources/non-discrimination-policy.pdf

The University of the South stands firmly for the principle that its employees, students, and participants of university-sponsored programs and activities have a right to be free from discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy and childbirth, and genetic information. As required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or other protected categories in the educational programs or activities which it operates. This requirement of non-discrimination extends to admission to and employment in those programs or activities. The University is committed to sustaining a community in which the dignity of every individual is respected. Key to this value are efforts to nurture an environment of civility and mutual respect and to foster a culture of reporting concerns so that the University can respond promptly and equitably whenever an incident occurs. All employees, students, and participants of university sponsored programs and activities have the right to be free from harassment and retaliation

The University of the South stands firmly for the principle that its employees, students, and participants of university-sponsored programs and activities have a right to be free from discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy and childbirth, and genetic information. The University is committed to sustaining a community in which the dignity of every individual is respected. Key to this value are efforts to nurture an environment of civility and mutual respect and to foster a culture of reporting concerns so that the University can respond promptly and equitably whenever an incident occurs. All employees, students, and participants of university sponsored programs and activities have the right to be free from harassment and retaliation.

Reports should be filed in person or electronically at https://new.sewanee.edu/provost/report-a-concern-or-complaint/. Sex discrimination including sexual harassment, assault, stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence are routinely assigned to the Title IX Coordinator. Reports of other forms of harassment (i.e. age, race, disability, etc.) are normally assigned according to the individuals involved. The Director of Human Resources or their designee is typically assigned reports regarding staff. The Dean of the College or their designee is typically assigned reports related to faculty in the College, and faculty or students in the School of Letters, Dean of Students or their designee is typically assigned reports related to undergraduate students and the Associate Dean of Community Life in the School of Theology or their designee is typically assigned reports related to faculty and students in the School of Theology. These administrators may be helpful in advising and aiding a person’s own efforts to resolve a problem. Such help may involve coaching the individual in preparation for a conversation with the person causing the problem, assisting the individual in writing a letter to that person describing the offending behavior and requesting that it stop, or offering to meet with the person causing the problem.

When an individual notifies the University (either directly or through a responsible employee, advocate, third party or other) that they have experienced conduct prohibited by these policies, the University will provide assistance as needed (and whether or not there is a formal report or participation in an investigation) in accessing on and off campus services, including but not limited to peer support and peer educators (eg. The Women’s Center, University Wellness Center, student Title IX advisory committee, or the SAVE team); medical and counseling services; psychological care services; University Health Services referrals; ordained clergy services; meal request support; Employee Assistance Program support; legal guidance; financial resources; digital will production; and/or online behavioral health resources.

The University will also discuss options for resolution with the Complainant (formal investigation, informal resolution, or not proceeding with any action), privacy and confidentiality, the prohibition on retaliation, and the fact that there is no statute of limitations for addressing a complaint. If the individual would still like to maintain privacy and does not wish for the University to investigate or address the matter or the individual does not wish for The University to report the matter to law enforcement, the Director of Human Resources, the Dean of the College, the Dean of the School of Theology, the Dean of Students in the College, the Associate Dean for Community Life in the School of Theology, or the Director of the School of Letters will weigh and determine those requests against the University’s obligation to provide a safe, non-discriminatory environment for all students, faculty, and staff.

Student recruitment programs include Perspective Sewanee (an initiative of the Office of Admission) and partnerships with community-based organizations such as the Posse Foundation, YesPrep, Chicago Scholars, etc. Perspective Sewanee offers an engaging program for admitted students interested in discovering the diversity of people and the numerous multicultural opportunities Sewanee has to offer. Students may attend a class and meet with faculty members, coaches, and current students as part of Perspective Weekend. Sewanee has a partnership with six college access organizations that recruit mostly students of color from urban backgrounds, namely: National Hispanic Institute, Arkansas Commitment, College Choice Foundation, The Posse Foundation, YES Prep IMPACT Scholars, and Chicago Scholars. The Posse Foundation is a national nonprofit that provides students with full tuition leadership scholarships from the DC area. Once a Posse Scholar has committed to Sewanee, our institution has made a commitment to meet 100% of their remaining demonstrated need. YES Prep IMPACT scholars are all from the YES Prep Charter School system in Houston. YES Prep has entered into formal partnerships with a diverse and impressive group of colleges and universities across the country. As a partner school, Sewanee enables YES Prep students to enroll in “cohorts.” These cohorts, or clusters, of students are designed to serve as mutually supportive communities once they leave high school and enter their collegiate career. Sewanee provides structured support programs to complement the students' college counseling curriculum they received in high school. Lastly, Sewanee is a Platinum Partner with the Chicago Scholars program. As a Platinum partner, Sewanee has made a commitment to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need through graduation for Scholars, sponsor a campus visit prior to an admitted Scholar confirming enrollment, include Scholars in any bridge and first-year orientation programming, and provide an on-campus liaison for Scholars.
The University has an institutional membership with the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium as part of an effort to increase faculty and staff diversity. We are also a member of the National Consortium for Faculty Diversity. The Consortium is committed to increasing the diversity of students, faculty members and curricular offerings at liberal arts colleges with a particular focus on enhancing the diversity of faculty members and of applicants for faculty positions. We now have a best practices document available to all department chairs and search committees for inclusive search and hiring practices. Our HR department has created training opportunities for implicit bias in the hiring process as a way to address and support diverse staff hiring's.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs provides support to students from underrepresented groups. This support takes shape in the form of programming throughout the school year, including but not limited to silent discos, poetry slams, and jazz concerts to help bring more variety to the activities students without cars are able to partake in. ADELANTE is an organization that promotes advocacy among minority students on campus. The organization strives to make permanent institutional changes that will expand diversity and raise awareness on important issues for the Latinx communities across the US. The ADELANTE mentor program pairs Latinx students with faculty and staff mentors. Programs offered through the Center for Teaching, such as Connected Colleagues, pair faculty in a supportive and collegial mentor relationship. External funding from the Jessie Ball DuPont Foundation has enabled faculty from underrepresented groups to pursue off-campus mentoring opportunities, and funding from the Associated Colleges of the South has enabled junior faculty to participate in the Faculty of Color United for Success (FOCUS) program. Additional programming includes:
Bridge Program in Math and Science - an opportunity for rising high school seniors and incoming freshmen of various socioeconomic backgrounds to take a summer class and participate in research
Ayres Multicultural Center - themed house on campus that serves as a space to hold events for multicultural students
Black History Month - put on by the Black Student Union annually to help educate the broader student body about African American history
Posse Plus Retreat - an annual retreat facilitated by master facilitators from the Posse Foundation where students, staff, and faculty can engage in difficult conversations regarding campus culture
DJ Dance Parties - occur twice a year and create an opportunity for students without cars to get a taste of city life without leaving campus
Annual Cultural Fashion Show - put on by the African Caribbean Student Association to share the history and culture behind their country's national dress.
Jazz Coffee House Performances - an alternative to the frat house party scene that features mainly black musicians in the area