| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.20 |
| Liaison | Elaine Durr |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2024 |
Elon University
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 3.00 |
Randy
Williams Vice President for Inclusive Excellence Associate Professor of Education |
Does the institution have a publicly posted non-discrimination statement? :
The non-discrimination statement, including the website URL where the policy is publicly accessible:
Elon University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, creed, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran’s status (collectively, “Protected Categories”) in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, or the operation of any of its programs.” Consistent with our nondiscrimination statement, the university does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of employees, students or other individuals associated with the university including, but not limited to, vendors, contractors, and guests on the basis of any of these Protected Categories.
Any person associated with the university who fails to comply fully with this policy will be properly disciplined. Any employment agency, vendor or contractor used by the university will be informed of this policy.
This policy applies to, but is not limited to, recruitment, employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, position advertising, reduction in force, termination, rates of pay, and selection for training.
https://www.elon.edu/u/inclusive-excellence/resources/statement-of-nondiscrimination/
Does the institution have a discrimination response protocol or committee (sometimes called a bias response team)?:
A brief description of the institution’s discrimination response protocol or team:
Elon University denounces bias-related conduct as a violation of the University Honor Code. Bias- related incidents, including slurs based on racial or ethnic identity, faith tradition, gender expression/ identity, sexual orientation, ability and others create a hostile educational, living and working environment and such acts are not tolerated in our academic community.
The term “bias-related” refers to language, behaviors and acts that demonstrate discrimination or hate against persons or groups because of any of the following identity categories (perceived or otherwise): race, ethnicity, faith tradition, national origin, gender, gender expression/identity, sexual orientation, age/generation, socio-economic status and disability. These categories are examples and are not an exhaustive list of attributes or characteristics protected under this policy.
Steps in the Bias Response Process:
Step 1: Bias incident report is submitted
-All current and former members of the university can file a bias incident report.
Step 2: Report is reviewed
-Report is reviewed by the Director of Inclusive Excellence Education and Development staff to determine potential immediate referral to campus partners (i.e., Human Resources, Student Conduct, Campus Police, Residence Life, or Identity Centers) and/or to offer support and educational resources.
Step 3: Action planning
-In collaboration with campus partners and impacted parties, an action plan including supportive measures for affected parties and accountability strategies.
Step 4: Plan implementation
-Taking into consideration the desired outcomes of harmed parties and university policies, a plan is implemented.
Step 5: Ongoing support & additional harm transformation
-Director of Inclusive Excellence Education and Development and campus partners offer ongoing support and follow-up for harm transformation.
Step 6: Assessment
-Director of Inclusive Excellence Education and Development engages with impacted parties to assess response.
Specific examples cannot be shared.
https://www.elon.edu/u/bias-response/
Elon’s Title IX Coordinator oversees compliance with all aspects of the Title IX Sexual Misconduct Policy (including harassment and/or discrimination on the basis of sex or gender) under the requirements of Title IX. When an allegation of sexual misconduct and gender-based violence is brought to the attention of an appropriate university official, protective and other remedial measures will be used to reasonably ensure that such conduct ends, is not repeated, and the effects on the complainant and community are remedied, including outcomes when a respondent is found to have violated this policy.
Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit students from underrepresented groups?:
Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit academic staff from underrepresented groups?:
Does the institution have programs designed specifically to recruit non-academic staff from underrepresented groups?:
A brief description of the institution’s programs to recruit students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups:
Elon University is committed to recruiting a diverse array of qualified applicants for faculty and staff hiring. Positions are often posted in several places. This list of Diverse Recruitment Links serves as a reference to recruit faculty and staff from underrepresented groups: https://www.elon.edu/u/fa/hr/wp-content/uploads/sites/653/2020/03/2020-DiversityRecruitmentLinks.pdf.
Elon’s Equal Opportunity and Human Resources Compliance Manager has led a process of drafting an equitable hiring protocol for the faculty and staff to be used in searches for new hires. Over the last year, the Manager has generated feedback on the document from multiple campus partners and units, and the resource is near complete. This guide will ensure search committees and hiring participants’ awareness, understanding and practice of strategies that yield diverse pools of candidates.
In student recruitment, the Admissions staff added a third position to its Diversity and Access area. This new staff person has a focus of generating partnerships with community-based organizations to create pathways for underrepresented students to enroll at Elon. The Office of Admissions hosts events for underrepresented groups to provide an opportunity for admitted students to speak to current students, faculty, staff and young alumni about their experiences (e.g., The Black Advance, ¡Viva Elon!, AAPI Achieve, Pride Rise). Phoenix Fusion is a two-day event that highlights the Elon experience for admitted ALANAM (African-American/Black, Latino/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, Alaskan Native, and Multiracial)–identified students, LGBTQIA community members and Odyssey recipients. It includes an Elon class, campus resource fair, campus tour, staff panels and meals in dining halls.
Elon continues to secure scholarships for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The Odyssey Program is a highly selective merit-based program consisting of talented individuals who are academically strong, civically engaged, action-oriented leaders in their communities, who will benefit from an Elon education and demonstrate financial need.
Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support, academic support, or other programs designed specifically to support students from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs designed specifically to support academic staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs to support non-academic staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
A brief description of the institution’s programs designed specifically to support students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups:
Below is a sample of the programs available:
1. S.M.A.R.T (Student Mentors Advising Rising Talent): Peer mentoring program designed to mentor first-year students of color
2. Odyssey Scholars Program: Cohort program for first-generation, low-income students
3. SPECTRUM: Student affiliate group for Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer and Allies
4. Black Student Union
5. Latin American Student Organization
6. Hillel: Jewish organization for students
7. Muslim Student Association
8. Native American Student Association
9. National Pan-Hellenic Council: Elon houses 7 of the 9 national historically Black fraternities and sororities.
10. Disabilities Resources: Disabilities Resources develops programming and services for students with disabilities.
11. El Centro de Espanol: "El Centro" is an academic and social setting where non-native speakers can come to learn Spanish and speak in Spanish. "El Centro" offers free Spanish classes for faculty, staff and students as well as cultural programming.
12. The Center for Access and Success supports first generation and high financial need students.
13. The Global Education Center supports international students.
14. The International Student Society
15. The African Student Society
16. The Caribbean Student Society
17. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for Advocates for the Differently-Abled, Asian and Pacific Islander, Jewish, LGBTQIA, Women, Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino - open to faculty and staff
18. Mentoring group for students with disabilities
19. The Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education creates a supportive environment for ALANAM (African-American/Black, Latino/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, Alaskan Native and Multiracial) students.
Does the institution have training and development programs, teaching fellowships and/or other programs that specifically aim to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members?:
A brief description of the institution’s programs to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members:
Does the institution produce a publicly accessible inventory of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus?:
Does the institution offer housing options to accommodate the special needs of transgender and transitioning students?:
Website URL where information about the institution’s support for underrepresented groups is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
gender-neutral bathrooms:
https://www.elon.edu/u/glc/resources/universal-restrooms/
housing options for transgender and transitioning students:
https://www.elon.edu/u/glc/resources/housing/
Division of Inclusive Excellence Resources Page:
https://www.elon.edu/u/inclusive-excellence/resources/
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.