Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion in the College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to help us all realize our aspirations for Xavier as a place to hold genuine dialogue across differences; to support all members of the Xavier community as they become their best selves, for and with others; to involve diverse perspectives and experiences in all levels of decision-making; and to celebrate and be mutually changed by our encounters with each other.

To that end, the College of Arts and Sciences continually develops and implements strategies to enhance diversity and inclusion among its students, faculty and staff, and to assist the university as a whole in these efforts

Resources

CAS encourages all of its students, faculty and staff to be aware of and engage with the following University programs, offices and policies.

Diversity landing page: Includes resources for students, faculty and staff related to diversity.

Academics

Diversity Flag: Requirement of the Core Curriculum for all undergraduates, and offered by many departments. In this course, students will examine the social, economic, political, psychological, and cultural experiences and positions of individuals and groups defined by gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, age, religion, and physical/mental abilities.

Department of Race, Intersectionality, Gender, and Sociology: Established in 2019, the Department of Race, Intersectionality, Gender, and Sociology (RIGS) houses two distinct, yet complimentary, academic programs: the Gender and Diversity Studies (GDST) Program and the Sociology Program.

Offices, Centers, and Other Resources

Affinity Groups: Affinity groups are formed around a shared identity, common bond and a commitment to invest in the professional development of historically marginalized or underrepresented groups of faculty and staff.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Explains Xavier's commitment to the ADA and how faculty, staff and students can request accommodation.

Bias Education and Advocacy Team (B.E.A.T.): Pprovides faculty and staff a safe space to have their voices heard, advocates for and empowers affected individuals, and works to promote a comprehensive and timely response to bias incidents. B.E.A.T collaborates with the Office of Human Resources to ensure faculty and staff are fully aware of the support and resources available to them.

Center for Diversity and Inclusion: Facilitates the institutional effort to create a diverse, inclusive, and equitable campus for all students; especially for students of color, LGBTQAI+ students, first-generation college attendees, and women students.

Center for Faith and Justice: Challenges and supports students as they deepen their spiritual lives, pursue justice and promote pluralism.

College of Arts and Sciences Diversity and Inclusion Committee (CASDI): Charged to set priorities, recommend additional strategies as they arise, advise implementation, communicate with stakeholders, and help the college remain accountable by measuring, setting benchmarks, and reporting its efforts.

Family Leave: Provides leave for individuals with a new child or to care for a family member. See 1) Xavier's Family Leave policy 2) the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, and 3) the Faculty Handbook. Please speak with your HR business partner for details. See this guide for more information on FMLA and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Human Resources Policies: Houses University policies regarding employment, including the Equal Employment Opportunity policy and the Harassment Code and Accountability Procedures.

Lactation Space: Provides space for new mothers. Conaton Learning Commons, room 409. Information on reserving the space.

Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion: Provides university-wide leadership to support the development and success of institutional diversity initiatives that advance the broader objectives of Xavier University's Catholic, Jesuit mission and its long-range strategic plan. Sponsors affinity groups for faculty and staff.

The President's Diversity and Inclusion Action and Advisory Council: This broadly representational Council will ensure the University's diversity and inclusion work is owned and enacted across the University. The Council will design, coordinate the implementation of, and assess the University's diversity and inclusion strategy.

Seeking Integration and Wisdom: The Xavier Way: This document, developed by faculty and staff and endorsed by the Board of Trustees, includes statements of principle regarding the welcoming of "those who adhere ot other religious traditions, humanist traditions, or no formal religious tradition at all...We are called to cultivate relationships of solidarity, dialogue, and peacemaking with non-Catholics and non-Christians everywhere."

Title IX Office: Leads Xavier's efforts to prevent and address sex discrimination, including all forms of gender-based violence and harassment.