University of St. Thomas
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Equal Opportunity Statement and Notice of Nondiscrimination

The University of St. Thomas is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and equal educational opportunity. St. Thomas does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, disability, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The university’s policy of nondiscrimination extends to all aspects of its operations, including but not limited to, employment, educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs and all other educational programs and activities.

https://www.stthomas.edu/media/officeofgeneralcounsel/policies/Equal-Opportunity-Statement-and-Notice-of-Nondiscrimination.pdf

The institution has a Diversity Action Response Team (DART), a proactive advisory committee committed to advancing the university's mission and convictions. This team has two main functions. First, DART anticipates and recommends university responses to campus-wide concerns that impact the university's inclusive environment. Second, DART recommends and supports proactive educational efforts that enhance the university's commitment to diversity, inclusion, rigorous thinking, meaningful dialogue and the dignity of each individual. DART oversees the bias hotline reporting process and acts as a proactive and reactive team that makes recommendations to the President and Provost on bias related reports that have community-wide impact at St. Thomas.

St. Thomas maintains a recruitment plan that focuses on low-income and underrepresented students, including first generation and students of color. The institution offers a 5-week summer bridge program to underrepresented students including students of color, asylees, refugees, and permanent residents called the Reaching Excellence in Academics and Leadership (REAL) Program. The REAL Program provides participants the opportunity to interact in living and learning environments intended to help them become acclimated to the University before fall semester begins. REAL Program: https://www.stthomas.edu/student-affairs/departments/sdis/real-program/

Since 2017, the institution has offered an Associate of Arts program through the Dougherty Family College (DFC), a two-year degree for students demonstrate high financial need and solid academic achievement; with support for DFC graduates to transition to 4-year programs. Dougherty Family College: https://dfc.stthomas.edu/

The Human Resources Team at the University of St. Thomas has worked with a consulting firm, with an eye towards unintended bias and exclusion of minority groups. Human Resources has completely redesigned the employment application and EEO form as well as changed several processes and practices and implemented new ones.

With every hire, the University of St. Thomas approaches recruiting diverse non-academic staff with intentionality. Human Resources begins each search with an intentional conversation during intake meetings and search committee meetings to identify people that could add value to the department and the university as a whole. Human Resources also attends a variety of career fairs that cater to underrepresented individuals in an effort to make them aware of our current opportunities as well as develop relationships with them for future openings. In order to communicate our commitment to diversity, Human Resources has added very specific diversity related language to each of our staff job postings, emphasizing our desire for people of all backgrounds to consider our job opportunities: “The University of St. Thomas embraces diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic. We are committed to building a skilled team that represents a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. This commitment is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission."

The Center for Faculty Development (CFD) continues to provide faculty with free membership in the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD) through an institutional membership. This provides targeted programs to support success of faculty of color at St. Thomas.

The Inclusive Classroom Institute (ICI) is a workshop series offering opportunities for all faculty to build awareness, gain understanding, and implement new pedagogical strategies to improve the learning climate for all students. Inclusive Classroom Institute workshops are open to all faculty. Faculty do not need to be working toward ICI certification to attend a workshop. Workshops are offered in-person, via Zoom or online asynchronously. Faculty can earn an Inclusive Classroom Certificate by completing a total of six ICI workshops and the associated workshop application activities.

The Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are designed to build a culture of inclusion for employees from various employment groups and backgrounds. They are voluntary, employee founded, designed and managed and administratively recognized, funded and supported by the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides cost-free professional consultation and referral services for staff and faculty who are experiencing work and personal-related difficulties. Immediate family members are also eligible for EAP services.

The Student Diversity & Inclusion Services (SDIS) office exists to enhance the campus climate and holds deep commitment in developing and sustaining a diverse campus community in the broadest sense, including differences in gender, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin, and physical ability, through programs and initiatives aimed at St. Thomas students. SDIS staff provides one-on-one and group consultations related to academic success; personal growth; an engaging climate; a just community; programs that increase multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills; serving as a resource for multicultural training, education, and development. Student Diversity and Inclusion Services coordinates the Linkages Mentor Program, which began in 2007, and serves as a formal peer mentoring initiative designed to support the retention of underrepresented students (students of color, first-generation students, and students demonstrating significant financial need) at the University of St. Thomas. Upper class student mentors serve as a resource to help first year students successfully transition from high school to college.

The Center for Well-Being offers services including BIPOC gathering circles and LGBTQIA+ group therapy.

The Excel! Research Scholars Program is an academic enrichment program that prepares undergraduate students who are first-generation and/or low-income and/or underrepresented in research-based, graduate school programs for graduate school admission and success in their programs. The mission of the program includes developing future scholars as leaders. This program is reserved for underrepresented students who aspire to, and are committed to, earning a graduate degree as a critical step in the process of becoming experts in their respective fields and for creating a more representative academy for future generations. Excel! uses a living and learning community and cohort style approach to teaching by working with students collectively and individually to provide effective and tailored mentorship designed to help each student successfully prepare for the next steps in their education process. As part of the program, students present their research at national conferences and scholarly meetings and attend Director’s Seminars throughout the academic year. Upon successful completion of a baccalaureate degree, the Excel! Research Scholars Program provides students with a number of benefits, including a merit-based scholarship, GRE training, reimbursement for visiting a graduate school program, dedicated support for applications, publication of research, and free housing during the Summer Research Institute.

Inclusive Classroom Institute
https://www.stthomas.edu/fdc/programs/ici/

Single-User Restroom Locations
https://www.stthomas.edu/about/our-campuses/single-user-restrooms/index.html

Supporting Our LGBTQIA+ Community
https://www.stthomas.edu/about/diversity-equity-inclusion/lgbtqia/

Student Diversity & Inclusion Services
https://www.stthomas.edu/studentdiversity/

Disability Resources
https://www.stthomas.edu/student-life/resources/disability/