Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 53.27
Liaison Morgan Hartman
Submission Date Feb. 20, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Nebraska - Lincoln
PA-5: Assessing Diversity and Equity

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Cale Brodersen
Graduate Assistant
UNL Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Has the institution engaged in a structured assessment process during the previous three years to improve diversity, equity and inclusion on campus?:
Yes

A brief description of the assessment process and the framework, scorecard(s) and/or tool(s) used:

From Spring 2017 through Summer 2017, Halualani & Associates conducted a diversity
mapping of University of Nebraska-Lincoln (hereafter UNL) that examined its diversity
activities and efforts that were completed from January 1, 2011 through December 2016 as well as its diversity-related undergraduate and graduate courses across the university
curriculum. This diversity mapping represents an evidence-based methodology through
which to analyze an institution’s record of action in relation to diversity and inclusion. In this mapping analysis, a “diversity effort” was defined as “any activity or program that promotes the active appreciation of all campus members in terms of their backgrounds, identities and experiences, as constituted by gender, socioeconomic class, political perspective, age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, regional origin, nationality, occupation and language, among others, as well as any activity or program that brings together any of these aspects.” We defined a “diversity course” as one that “focuses on issues and topics related to various cultural groups, backgrounds, identities and experiences, and/or promotes the larger importance of diversity, difference or cultural sharing for the public.”


Does the assessment process address campus climate by engaging stakeholders to assess the attitudes, perceptions and behaviors of faculty, staff, administrators and students, including the experiences of underrepresented groups?:
Yes

Does the assessment process address student outcomes related to diversity, equity and success (e.g. graduation/success and retention rates for underrepresented groups)?:
Yes

Does the assessment process address employee outcomes related to diversity and equity (e.g. pay and retention rates for underrepresented groups)?:
Yes

A brief description of the most recent assessment findings and how the results are used in shaping policy, programs and initiatives:

UNL has produced a solid record of diversity activity and efforts in the last five years, which constitutes a foundational base from which to take more strategic action on diversity and inclusion. However, while there is indeed diversity activity taking place at this university, UNL’s record of efforts does not appear to be strategically framed.

Overall, Halualani & Associates identifies the following areas as urgent areas for
action by UNL for the next five years:
• the creation of a university-wide diversity strategic plan
• continued progress on diverse undergraduate student recruitment (for all minority
groups)
• continued progress on diverse graduate student recruitment (for all minority
groups)
• continued progress on student retention and graduation for diverse groups
• diverse faculty recruitment and retention
• diverse staff recruitment and retention
• diversity-related professional development for employees (staff, faculty,
administrators)
• further development of diversity-based affinity groups for employees

Many action steps were listed and described in the report, creating a plan and guidance to enhance the university's efforts on diversity and inclusion. To see all of the findings of the 32 page report, open the document below:


Are the results of the most recent structured diversity and equity assessment shared with the campus community?:
Yes

A brief description of how the assessment results are shared with the campus community:

The report has been published to the University website and the chancellor has discussed this report with the campus community on many occasions.


Are the results (or a summary of the results) of the most recent structured diversity and equity assessment publicly posted?:
Yes

The diversity and equity assessment report or summary:
The website URL where the report or summary is publicly posted:
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.