Inclusive Excellence Plan to help minority students

Like UW campuses, UW-Oshkosh is working on Inclusive Excellence Plans to improve the academic success of minority students and create a more welcoming atmosphere for all students, faculty and staff.

In the past several years the University has conducted several studies that examined what issues might affect the academic success of minority students more than other students.

These studies include Plan 2008, the Equity Scorecard and the 2008 Campus Climate Study.

"Students of color have a very different experience while on campus," said Alex Abendschein, vice president of the Oshkosh Student Association.  "They (may) feel uncomfortable in classrooms.  They sometimes feel uncomfortable in the residence halls."

The new Inclusive Excellence Plan is meant to address these issues and any factors that limit the academic achievement of minority groups.

The IE Plan also expands the definition of diversity to include many more students than just students of color. The many groups added to consideration include non-traditional students and those characterized by religion, sexual and gender orientation, and disability-ability status.

"Diversity has always been a value that has been a foundation of this campus," said Petra Roter, vice chancellor for student affairs.  "(The IE Plan will allow us to) take it to the next level."

Roter used the Golden Rule and the Platinum Rule to explain how things may change on campus. Instead of, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." We will be seeing more of, "Do unto others as they would have done unto themselves."

"(We need to) make a point of how you do day-to-day business," said Pamela Lassiter of the  Office of Equity and Affirmative Action and head of the IE Leadership Team.  "Putting IE in the operational plans will make it operational."

The University developed a set of Key Operational Plans in 2005: Academic Program and Student Outcomes Assessment Plan, Enrollment Management and Student Support, Human Resources Support and Development, Facilities Management, Information Technology, Finance and Budgeting, and Advancement and Relationship Development.

Lassiter said that including IE in all courses will probably be a part of the Provost's Academic Program and Student Outcomes Assessment Plan. 

It may not be obvious how to include IE in a physics class, but, in general, much can be done.

"We believe in liberal education," Lassiter said.  "Liberal education means talking about things that are potentially offensive.  But you don't have to do it offensively."

Lassiter gave the example of a literature professor who might use profanity or offensive language in class.  Perhaps the professor could explain that this language was used by the author of a novel, and  the class should understand the use of these words in that literary context.  This explanation might be enough to make the students comfortable.

"You don't turn to the Afro-American student and say, ‘What do blacks think about that?'" Lassiter said.  "Now you've highlighted them.  They may not be comfortable with that."
Roter's Division of Student Affairs is looking at ways to improve the Enrollment Management Plan.

"Each staff member in the Division and each department has to have goals," Roter said. 

"That will help their program and services be more inclusive."

Roter gave two examples of what the new Enrollment Management Plan might say to address IE.

First, IE will be added to the Mission Statement – to show that it is of prime concern.

Secondly, IE will be used in recruiting new staff. IE goals will be included in job descriptions and potential candidates will be expected to show an interest in and experience in IE.

Lassiter said the new planning process will outline behaviors that we want people to move toward.  It will also provide training and opportunities for them to get there.

Abendschein said it is all about answering the question: "How do we make a better environment for our students, our faculty, our staff?"