Seattle University
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT:
Seattle University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in the administration of any of its education policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, and other school-administered policies and programs, or in its employment related policies and practices. In addition, the University does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking in its employment related policies and practices, including coverage under its health benefits program.

All University policies, practices and procedures are administered in a manner consistent with Seattle University's Catholic and Jesuit identity and character. Inquiries relating to these policies may be referred to the University’s Assistant Vice President for Institutional Equity/Title IX Coordinator at 206-220-8515 or etrayner@seattleu.edu.

Consistent with the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations, Seattle University has designated individuals responsible for coordinating the University's Title IX compliance.

https://www.seattleu.edu/policies/nondiscrimination-policy/

THE CAMPUS CLIMATE INCIDENT REPORTING AND RESPONSE PROTOCOL AND TEAM:

Seattle University is committed to providing an inclusive and nondiscriminatory campus community. The University therefore established a protocol to facilitate reporting of Campus Climate Incidents; promote prompt responses and support to those impacted; and foster education, problem solving and professional development to enable a more welcoming and inclusive campus community.

The policy can be found at: https://www.seattleu.edu/media/office-of-institutional-equity/Protocol---Campus-Climate-Incident-Reporting-and-Response-Protocol-07.01.2022.pdf

Additional information on the protocol and team can be found at: https://www.seattleu.edu/equity/campus-climate-incidents/

FOR STUDENTS:

- Goal one of LIFTSU is the recruitment and retention of BIPOC students. A working group, constituted of partners throughout the campus community, engaged in rigorous research and evaluation throughout the 2022-2023 academic year. An executive summary of the work can be found here: https://www.seattleu.edu/media/office-of-institutional-inclusion/Goal-1,-Executive-Summary-5-22-23.pdf

- SU provides financial aid that covers full tuition for eligible Washington State College Bound Students who are admitted to the SU Bound Program as well as students who receive the Coscto Scholarship. We no longer require a test score for that award.. Information about the SU Bound Scholarship: https://www.seattleu.edu/undergraduate-admissions/finances/scholarships/seattle-u-bound-scholarship/

- SU has committed to support local students in the Rainier Scholars program, which supports low-income students of color from fifth grade through college graduation. Seattle U will meet the full demonstrated financial need for every Rainier Scholar newly admitted to the university. See the announcement here: https://www.seattleu.edu/newsroom/stories/2020/seattle-u-and-rainier-scholars-partner-on-new-scholarship-program-.html.

- SU Undergraduate Admissions created two new positions. We hired an Associate Director for Diversity Recruitment and an Assistant Director for Pre-College Programs. These roles build upon Admissions’ existing recruitment strategies to make them more inclusive and intentional about recruiting and supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds. Pre-college programs are now managed by the Admissions office in an effort to provide more funding for low income and underrepresented students to gain exposure to Seattle U earlier on in their educational life. Admissions plans to leverage those pre-college programs to create an even larger and intentional pipeline of underrepresented students who have spent meaningful time on the SU campus. The current pre-college program include Seattle University AI for Equity the Summer Business Institute, and Urban Sustainability.SU Undergraduate Admissions campus visit program hosts a robust number of TRiO, Gear Up, College Access Now (CAN) and other college access-oriented groups for group visits on an annual basis.

- SU Undergraduate Admissions has robust recruitment efforts ongoing in the Puget Sound region focused both on direct recruitment as well as relationship building with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) such as CAN, Rainier Scholars, Gear Up and TRiO.

FOR FACULTY/STAFF:

- Goal three of LIFTSU is the recruitment and retention of BIPOC faculty and staff. Two working groups were formed to engage with this goal: a working group dedicated to the recruitment and retention of BIPOC faculty, and another dedicated to the recruitment and retention of BIPOC staff. The working group focused on BIPOC faculty concluded its charge related to faculty recruitment at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 academic year, resulting in the development of a guidebook for equitable faculty hiring, including concrete, practical toolkit documents. See here: https://issuu.com/suofficefordei/docs/search_guidebook_final
The working group focused on BIPOC staff launched its work in Summer 2023, and have begun exploring potential avenues for research and exploration. The working group continues to meet on a regular basis to develop strategies focused on the recruitment of non-academic staff from underrepresented groups.

FOR STUDENTS:

1. The MOSAIC Center, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, International Student Center, and Wellness and Health Promotion all host a variety of programs that support minoritized student populations on campus. There are year-long cohort programs, co-curricular campus programming, and retreat opportunities for minoritized students.

2. The MOSAIC Center: MOSAIC offers programs, services, and resources that support the thriving of students of color, LGBTQIA+ students, undocumented students, first-generation students, veterans and military-connected students, commuter and transfer students, and graduate and adult learners.
See: https://www.seattleu.edu/mosaic/student-resources-guides/
Some program and resource highlights include:
• Rooted Retreat is an annual retreat for students of color that is co-hosted by the MOSAIC Center and Campus Ministry. Rooted retreat is focused on exploring race through an intersectional lens and community building.
• Connections Leadership Program+ (CLP+) is designed for incoming students of color and first-generation college students to make social connections, learn about educational resources and develop leadership skills as they transition into college. CLP+ begins as a pre-Fall immersion and continues throughout a students’ first year at Seattle University. Since 1998, CLP+ has been both a foundational and transformational part of the SU experience for nearly 900 new students.
• The Gender Affirmation Support & Products Program (G.A.S.P.P.) is a new initiative and service for students who are members of the Trans community, which includes those who are transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming. G.A.S.P.P. provides financial resources and staff support in acquiring gender affirming products such as binders, shapewear, clothing & undergarments, as well as cosmetics/personal care items. The program will also increase education and outreach regarding topics of gender identity and expression and continue to raise awareness on the Trans and Nonbinary student experiences to promote a more inclusive campus environment.
• Veterans Guidebook: written by Seattle University veterans for other Seattle University veterans. This guidebook is a compiled book of resources and tips for success. This guidebook is available on our website and in The Outreach Link.
• First-Gen Guidebook: written by Seattle University first-generation college students for other Seattle University first-generation college students. This guidebook is a compiled book of resources and tips for success. This guidebook is available on our website and in The Outreach Link.
• The Links are 6 physical student lounge spaces located throughout campus to support the day-to-day needs of our various student populations. The Links program creates caring and diverse learning communities that provide a broader educational experience steeped in the Jesuit values of Seattle University. MOSAIC Community Ambassadors (student employees) offer a variety of educational and social programs that are hosted weekly in the various Links. Though students of any identity and life experiences are welcome to use the Link spaces, we offer the following Links to bring visibility to our student populations:
• Pride Link – LGBTQ+ students
• Intercultural Link – Students of color & Undocumented students
• Transfer Link – Transfer students
• Outreach Link – First-generation students & Veteran and military-connected students
• Graduate & Adult Learning Link – Graduate students and Adult learners
• Commuter Link – Commuter students
For more information:
https://www.seattleu.edu/mosaic/

3. WELLNESS AND HEALTH PROMOTION’S FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES. See here: https://www.seattleu.edu/wellness/. WHP supports students facing a food emergency or students who need to supplement their food source.

Short Term Emergency Solutions:
• Food pantry: All students at SU have access to the SU Food Pantry operated by Wellness and Health Promotion (WHP). The SU Food Pantry is a true cross-campus collaboration: Each week, the food pantry is supplied with fresh produce from SU’s edible campus gardens and the campus greenhouse. In addition, WHP partners with Redhawk Dining (Chartwells, SU’s food service provider) and The MOSAIC Center for the food recovery program, which both advances food security and the reduction of food waste on campus. Each week, student staff pack leftover food from dining and catering events creating pre-packaged freezer meals for students facing food insecurity. To access the food pantry, students must complete a request form weekly.
• Emergency Redhawk Dining Cards: The Emergency Redhawk Dining Card program provides short-term financial assistance to students experiencing an unexpected financial emergency. To access the program, students should complete an application. If eligible for the program, students will receive a Redhawk Dining Card valid only at On-Campus dining locations. Ineligible students are connected to other resources.

Long Term Solutions:
• Food Planning: Students seeking long term food security resources are encouraged to meet with the Associate Director for Student Care & Support. During their intake meeting, each student works to develop a food plan, which assists students in budgeting for and finding additional food resources. Eligible students also receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) counseling. SNAP offers food benefits for eligible low-income individuals and families, including some eligible college students.

4. Other support resources on campus through Student Services are:
- Campus Ministry – various affinity groups. See here: https://www.seattleu.edu/campus-ministry/
- Center for Student Involvement (CSI). See here: https://www.seattleu.edu/involvement/

FOR FACULTY AND STAFF:
1. The MOSAIC Center facilitates an annual Faculty & Staff of Color retreat
2. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) hosts a wide variety of trainings, workshops, dialogues, and other events for faculty and staff to explore diversity and inclusion and support each other in their work. All faculty who serve on a search committee are required to take an "Equitable Searches and Hiring" training. ODI also provides custom-based DEI trainings for departments upon request.
3. Affinity groups. SU has several informal affinity groups, such as Black Women Social, SU People of Color, Women of Color in Mission,…. https://www.seattleu.edu/staff-council/susc-staff-connections/.
There is also an effort by the Inclusive Excellence Working Group (Reigniting Strategic Directions—RSD Goal 4 “Promote Inclusive Excellence”) to put structure together for BIPOC staff affinity groups.
4. The Center for Faculty Development also has resources available for staff and faculty.

Seattle University’s College of Education’s “Educational and Organizational Learning and Leadership” (EOLL) program is a doctoral program that supports doctoral and post-doctoral students from underrepresented groups to be university faculty members and high level administrators in higher education. Starting five years ago, the program had a strategic goal to have at least 35% of our program participants to be from underrepresented groups. The operational activities toward this goal is documented by our move to change our recruitment strategies to partner with underrepresented affinity groups at the International Leadership Association and Black Doctoral Network. In addition, we have specifically worked with URM alumni to “refer” URM candidates to the program. These activities have led to the EOLL/EDLR program having a 38% diversity and 28% URM rank for the last years. https://www.seattleu.edu/education/eoll/