Texas State University’s Action Plan to Build Capacity
Background
Texas State has adopted the rubric described in Speaking the Truth and Acting with Integrity: Confronting Challenges of Campus Racial Climate[1] as the basis for assessing our current capacity to respond to campus climate and culture crises, and for developing action plans designed to strengthen our capacity to build a more inclusive environment. The report, published in 2018, is based on a highly visible racial crisis at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the 2015-16 academic year.
On January 25, 2019, using the report’s rubric, the Council on Inclusive Excellence (CIE), led by Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) Ms. Ameerah McBride, categorized Texas State’s capacity as “moderate.” On January 31, 2019, Ms. McBride presented the CIE’s findings and recommendations to the President’s Cabinet. A Capacity Building Action Plan was developed and work to put it into practice began immediately. On May 29, 2019, Ms. McBride and the President’s Cabinet assessed progress, revised the Action Plan where necessary, and established timelines for completion of each action item. On November 22, 2019, and December 6, 2019, the CIE reviewed the Action Plan and made recommended changes. On January 16, 2020, and February 21, 2020, Dr. Stella Silva, interim CDO, presented the recommendations to the President’s Cabinet and the Action Plan was revised, accordingly.
Our Action Plan is presented below. This plan will not sit on a shelf collecting dust. This plan is a guiding document that will be used to drive our inclusion and diversity (I&D) work; it is fluid and will change; it will be regularly critiqued and evaluated for its effectiveness and revised as appropriate.
[1] This report represents a collaborative between the Division of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity for the University of Missouri–Columbia; the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the University of Missouri System; the American Council on Education Center for Policy Research and Strategy; and project co-leads/report authors Adrianna Kezar, University of Southern California, and Sharon Fries-Britt, University of Maryland.
Oversight of Action Plan
The President’s Cabinet “owns” the Action Plan, and the CIE (which meets monthly) provides guidance and assistance in implementing, evaluating, and revising, as necessary, the Action Plan. Cabinet members either serve on the CIE, or have at least one representative who serves on the CIE. Below, the Action Plan assigns persons responsible for coordinating action items. The responsible persons, who either serve on the CIE or have representatives on the CIE, are in charge of ensuring their assigned action items are completed in an effective and timely manner. Throughout the process, they are expected to seek guidance and assistance from the CIE.
Key:
◯ In progress or event is being scheduled
⬤ Completed or process in place and is on-going
⦻ Action item is reconsidered/removed.
Goal 1: Build Trust and Respect Across Stakeholder Groups
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Goal 1 - Objective 1: Develop communication strategies to meet the needs of the university community, being timely and transparent with factual information while also cultivating authentic relationships and fostering a sense of belonging, connection, concern, and care
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1. Explore the utilization of a public relations (PR) consultant with I&D expertise.
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications in consultation with CDO.
Status: ⦻ [Reviewed proposals from several candidates, with none addressing our needs; AVP-Communications has worked with CDO to significantly increase effective communication about I&D initiatives through a variety of communication platforms, including TXST Connections internal communications email and social media. AVP-Communications will work in consultation with CDO to gain internal audience input and insights that will be used to continue to improve I&D communications.]
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2. Enhance university communications plan
Enhance university communications plan to ensure that Texas State’s commitment to I&D is effectively communicated and strategies are in place to increase university community’s awareness of I&D initiatives.
a. In coordination with the PR consultant, hold focus groups (with faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, and prospective students). Use data gleaned from these interviews to tailor communication to different audiences.
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications (with assistance from the PR consultant).
Status: ⦻b. Develop “Stay Informed Bobcats” webpage and marketing materials.
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications & Director-University Marketing.
Status: ⬤ [Stay Informed Bobcats]
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3. Consult with CDO when preparing I&D communication.
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications.
Status: ⬤ -
4. Consult with CDO when preparing I&D marketing materials.
Coordination assigned to: Director-University Marketing.
Status: ⬤ -
5. Develop, launch, and maintain I&D website, with content such as:
- Texas State Diversity Calendar.
- Diversity Updates and Initiatives.
- Link to I&D resources in other divisions, e.g., Diversity Connections.
Coordination assigned to: CDO.
Status: ⬤ [Inclusion and Diversity website] -
6. Deliver recurring presidential messages denouncing hate and bigotry, including white supremacy.
- Friday following first day of fall 2019, University President and Student Government President issue joint statement in Bobcat Welcome (via TXST Connections).
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications.
Status: ⬤ - Convey message in fall 2019 Convocation speech.
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications.
Status: ⬤ - Op-ed (new I&D initiatives) in University Star.
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications.
Status: ⦻ [Replaced with President’s Corner in TXST Connections.]- Interview on KTSW.
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications.
Status: ⦻ [Replaced with President’s Corner in TXST Connections.]- When I&D is threatened (e.g., damaging social media posts and protests), coordinate opportunities for leaders to actively listen to students, faculty, and staff.
Coordination assigned to: CDO.
Status: ◯ - Friday following first day of fall 2019, University President and Student Government President issue joint statement in Bobcat Welcome (via TXST Connections).
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7. Expand communication platform beyond email
- a. TXST Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Coordination assigned to: Director-University Marketing and AVP-Communications.
Status: ⬤ [weekly Story Share meetings are held] - b. @TXSTPresident
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications.
Status: ⬤ - c. Canvas
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications and Special Assistant to VPIT.
Status: ◯ [Internal policy will be developed on type of information that may be communicated.]
- a. TXST Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
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8. In I&D communications, include reference to TXST policies about hate and bias
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications.
Status: ⬤
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9. Document, via social media, presidential engagement with students, faculty, and staff
Coordination assigned to: University President (to share schedule); Director-University Marketing and AVP-Communications (to coordinate documentation).
Status: ⬤
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Goal 1 - Objective 2: Dispel myths and rumors through sustained dialogue/engagement between President/President’s Cabinet and students, faculty, and staff
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1. Host forums to actively listen to audience members’ thoughts and to answer their questions.
a. Student forums
Coordination assigned to: VPSA.
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- Work with students to determine appropriate forms of engagement, times, and locations.
Status: ⬤ - Student Leader Dialogue Series (monthly).
Status: ⬤ - Minimum of four opportunities per semester for President to engage with students (e.g., Talk with President, Student Government Roundtable, and meetings with student organizations
Status: ⬤
- Work with students to determine appropriate forms of engagement, times, and locations.
b. Faculty forums include
Coordination assigned to: VPAA.-
- Monthly joint President and Academic Advisory Group meetings.
Status: ⬤ - Rotating department meetings.
Status: ⬤
- Monthly joint President and Academic Advisory Group meetings.
c. Staff forums:
- Staff Council (fall meeting)
Coordination assigned to: Vice President for University Administration.
Status: ⬤ -
- Divisional Meetings
Coordination assigned to: President's Cabinet.
Status: ⬤
- Divisional Meetings
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- Other events, including Coffee with the Cops, Bobcat Buyers, HR quarterly meetings
Coordination assigned to: VPFSS
Status: ⬤
- Other events, including Coffee with the Cops, Bobcat Buyers, HR quarterly meetings
d. Open forums include:
Coordination assigned to: CDO.- Joint CIE and President Cabinet Meeting
Status: ◯ [Preparing for Diversity Celebration in Fall 2020.]
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2. Advertise all forums (Cabinet members will share forum dates) via:
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications.
Status: ⬤Coordination assigned to: Assistant Director-Communications.
Status: ⬤Coordination assigned to: CDO.
Status: ⬤d. “Stay Informed Bobcats” Marketing Materials
Coordination assigned to: Director-University Marketing and AVP of Communications.
Status: ⬤e. TXST Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Coordination assigned to: Director-University Marketing and AVP-Communications.
Status: ⬤f. @TXSTPresident
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications.
Status: ⬤g. Canvas
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications and Special Assistant to VPIT.
Status: ◯ [Internal policy will be developed on type of information that may be communicated.] -
3. Attend Student Government meetings (University President in fall; other VPs upon request)
Coordination assigned to: VPSA.
Status: ⬤ -
4. Meet monthly with Student Government President and Vice President
Coordination assigned to: University President, VPAA.
Status: ⬤ -
5. Visits to different student venues.
Coordination assigned to: President’s Cabinet and other senior administrators.
Status: ⬤ -
6. Establish and promote direct digital communication for students to share concerns and ask questions of administration
a.“Questions for the President” on President’s webpage
Coordination assigned to: University President.
Status: ⬤b. Direct messaging to President on Twitter
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications.
Status: ⬤c. “Feedback” link on TXST Connections
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications.
Status: ⬤d. Based on commonly asked questions, develop and post an FAQ page.
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications.
Status: ⬤ [Completed as issues arise, e.g. Free Speech FAQs]
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Goal 1 - Objective 3: Eliminate reactionary/crisis response for university climate concerns
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1. Develop/launch Bring It Up Bobcats.
Coordination assigned to: CDO.
Status: ⬤ -
2. Create a Bring It Up Bobcats awareness campaign.
Coordination assigned to: CDO.
Status: ◯ [CDO is with marketing to incorporate into a brochure highlighting services provided by Office of Equity and Inclusion] -
3. Develop/launch “Report It,” online reporting system for all incidents.
Coordination assigned to: VPIT.
Status: ⬤ -
4. Disseminate Campus Climate Survey, analyze, and interpret the data to inform additional I&D initiatives.
Coordination assigned to: CIE Subcommittee.
Status: ◯ [Conducted in 2016; next iteration pending, with a goal of fall 2020 dissemination] -
5. Proactively develop response strategies to a variety of I&D crises (e.g., racist flyers and graffiti) and provide updates to CIE.
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications
Status: ⬤ [Established social media communications protocol related to racist flyers, graffiti, and social posts.] -
6. Use PR consultant, as needed, during I&D crises
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications.
Status: ⦻
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Goal 1 - Objective 4: Going beyond words, empowering administrators, faculty, staff, and students to act according to/on behalf of Texas State’s core values
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1. Present faculty and staff I&D awards at President’s Convocation (annually).
Coordination assigned to: CDO.
Status: ⬤ -
2. With input from students, establish community engagement agreements at student meetings covering challenging I&D topics.
Coordination assigned to: VPSA.
Status: ⬤ -
3. Increase student awareness of how student judicial system works.
Coordination assigned to: VPSA.
Status: ⬤ -
4. Bring together representative group of students to discuss UPD via multiple and mediated meetings.
Coordination assigned to: VPFSS.
Status: ⬤ [Formed the Security and Personal Safety Committee] -
5. Encourage people to participate in affinity groups.
Coordination assigned to: Chairs of affinity groups.
Status: ⬤ -
6. Allow students to be able to designate their preferred pronoun in Texas State Self-Service.
Coordination assigned to: VPIT.
Status: ⬤ -
7. Support and protect students’ rights to peacefully assemble and protest by:
a. Publishing University Rules for Student Demonstrations and Protests and Demonstrations at University Policy.
Coordination assigned to: VPSA.
Status: ⬤b. Training emergency management staff on managing safety during student protests
Coordination assigned to: Emergency Manager.
Status: ⬤ [Formed a demonstration response team (when posted, add link to 2/21/20 President Cabinet meeting minutes.] -
8. Develop First Amendment website that will include information and frequently asked questions to help university community understand free speech laws
Coordination assigned to: VPSA.
Status: ⬤ -
9. Hire part-time immigration attorney to help students with questions about immigration
Coordination assigned to: VPSA.
Status: ⬤ [Note: Position transitioned to full-time.]
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Goal 2: Invest in Continual Learning for Faculty, Staff, and Students
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Goal-2 Objective 1. Implement an inclusion skills certificate program for faculty and staff
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1. Create/launch the program
Coordination assigned to: CDO
Status: ⬤ [Bobcat JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Program launched on November 1, 2019.] -
2. Incentivize participation.
Coordination assigned to: CDO
Status: ◯
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Goal 2 - Objective 2. Increase faculty participation in Multicultural Curriculum Transformation and Research Institute (MULT) and the number of courses taught with the MULT designation.
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1. Each year, send out a university-wide email inviting faculty to participate in the program, offering $1,200 stipend, plus up to $800 of additional funding to two faculty per college per session; and advertise program on the MULT website.
Coordination assigned to: VPAA.
Status: ⬤ (As of 7/15/19, ~$34,000 per year is budgeted to fund faculty participation.) -
2. Explore the addition of one session for a total of two sessions offered per year.
Coordination assigned to: VPAA.
Status: ⦻ -
3. Publish an inventory of courses successfully transformed on the MULT website.
Coordination assigned to: Director-Center for Diversity and Gender Studies.
Status: ⬤ -
4. On the Academic Services website, published an updated inventory of General Education courses assigned Social Responsibility Competency, MULT, and/or Multicultural Perspective designations.
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Academic Services.
Status: ⬤
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Goal 2 - Objective 3: Increase training and consulting related to faculty and staff recruitment, selection, and retention
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1. Annually, offer "Best Practices for an Inclusive Search" through Office of Human Resources
Coordination assigned to: CDO and Special Assistant to Provost for I&D.
Status: ⬤ -
2. Annually, offer "Best Practices for an Inclusive Faculty Search Process" through Faculty Development
Coordination assigned to: CDO and Special Assistant to Provost for I&D
Status: ⬤ -
3. Upon request, offer I&D training specifically tailored for search committee
Coordination assigned to: CDO and Special Assistant to Provost for I&D.
Status: ⬤ -
4. Upon request, offer I&D training to departments
Coordination assigned to: CDO and Special Assistant to Provost for I&D.
Status: ⬤ -
5. Provide face-to-face/online training for all hiring managers and search committee chairs and members.
Coordination assigned to: For faculty - Special Assistant to Provost for I&D; For staff - AAP & EEO Diversity Metrics Coordinator and HR Employment Manager.
Status: ◯ -
6. Offer training on how to effectively recruit and retain graduate students of color through Faculty Development and Graduate Council
Coordination assigned to: Special Assistant to Provost for I&D and Associate Dean-Graduate College.
Status: ⬤ -
7. Add I&D statement to job postings and hiring website
Coordination assigned to: VPFSS and VPAA.
Status: ⬤ -
8. Intentionally, involve affinity groups in personnel searches by inviting members of affinity groups to serve on search committees or, at a minimum, to participate in some form of the search process (e.g., provide feedback during the candidate’s presentation).
Coordination assigned to: VPAA and VPFSS.
Status: ◯[Note: AA/PPS 04.01.01 “The composition of each search committee must be diverse. To ensure diversity on a search committee, the dean and chair or director may elect to appoint committee members who are outside of the department, school, or college for the committee.” AVP Thorne will address affinity groups role in this policy.]
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9. Hire Talent Acquisition Partner to enhance advertising strategies for ensuring large and diverse robust pools of applicants for vacant staff positions and increase university-wide awareness of the Partner’s services/responsibilities.
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Human Resource.
Status: ⬤ -
10. Develop and post staff recruitment plans.
Coordination assigned to: Employment Manager-Office of Human Resources, in consultation with AAP and EEO Diversity Metrics Coordinator.
Status: ◯ -
11. Gather and post-doctoral recipient data by subfield of study, citizenship, and race (annually).
Coordination assigned to: Associate Provost.
Status: ⬤[This information has been compiled through the survey of earned doctorates from 2013-2017 (which is the most recent data). This information is distributed to CAD on an annual basis.
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12. Develop and post Faculty Hiring Toolkit.
Coordination assigned to: Special Assistant to Provost for I&D.
Status: ⬤ -
13. Develop and post faculty recruitment plans (which will include suggested conferences to attend or networks to contact).
Coordination assigned to: Associate Provost, Special Assistant to Provost for I&D.
Status: ◯ -
14. Annually, compile and post report illustrating Texas State’s diversity profile of faculty and staff over time and display profile data on I&D website
Coordination assigned to: CDO, in consultation with AVP-Institutional Research.
Status: ⬤
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Goal 2 - Objective 4: Offer training to faculty and staff on various I&D topics
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1. University leaders attend/participate in I&D training sessions, conferences and workshops (at least annually)
Coordination assigned to: CDO.
Status: ⬤ -
2. Highlight I&D trainings that administrators, faculty, and staff participate in.
Coordination assigned to: AVP-Communications.
Status: ⬤ [Shared President Cabinet’s ADL training on social media and mentioned in Presidential communications; Promoted new faculty and staff Diversion and Inclusion Certificate Program information with university community.] -
3. Train US 1100 faculty and peer mentors on how to integrate lessons on understanding and appreciating diversity.
Coordination assigned to: Associate Dean-Academic Programs.
Status: ⬤ -
4. Ensure Chartwells staff know the ingredients of food served by Chartwells to address food allergies and for religious reasons.
Coordination assigned to: Director-Auxiliary Services.
Status: ⬤ -
5. Workshops and other training resources for faculty and graduate assistants on guiding difficult conversations and responding to in-class challenges
Coordination assigned to: Chair, Department of Philosophy, CDO, and Special Assistant to Provost for I&D.
Status: ⬤ [In addition to the efforts that are being conducted in the Department of Philosophy, Drs. Jon Lasser and Scott Bowman are conducting a Faculty Development training on difficult conversations ("Building an Academic Community that is Diverse, Accomplished, and Collegial").
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Goal 3: Develop a Strong Strategic Planning, Mission Statement, and Guiding Values for D&I Work
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Goal 3 - Objective 1: Assess, review, and update the 2017-2023 I&D Strategic Plan
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1. Operationalize and update strategic plan.
Coordination assigned to: CDO.
Status: ◯ -
2. Increase awareness of strategic plan.
a. Develop high-quality information sheet.
b. Prominently display plan on I&D website.
c. Incorporate 2017-2023 Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan into the University Plan.
Coordination assigned to: CDO.
Status: ◯
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Goal 3 - Objective 2: Define/establish the institutional priorities for I&D (through sustained dialogue with key university constituents)
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1. University leaders discuss, define, and establish priorities.
Coordination assigned to: President, President’s Cabinet, & CDO.
Status: ⬤ [CDO is on the President’s Cabinet, elevating I&D priorities.] -
2. University leaders discuss priorities with CIE.
Coordination assigned to: CDO.
Status: ⬤ [Need to revise meeting structure.] -
3. CIE discusses priorities during monthly meetings.
Coordination assigned to: CDO.
Status: ⬤ -
4. Provide adequate resources to support I&D efforts:
a. $100,000 additional permanent funding provided to Office of Equity and Inclusion for new positions.
Status: ⬤ [Fall 2018]b. Create position of Special Assistant to Provost for I&D.
Status: ⬤ [Fall 2018]c. Fund I&D grant proposals annually (~$70,000 per year).
Status: ⬤d. Construct Unity Lounge in the LBJ Student Center.
Status: ⬤Coordination assigned to: President, President’s Cabinet, Office of Equity and Inclusion
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Goal 3 - Objective 3: Provide guidance to divisions, departments, and colleges on the implementation of I&D plans.
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1. Task divisions, departments, and colleges with including I&D in their strategic plans
Coordination assigned to: President’s Cabinet & CDO.
Status: ⬤ -
2. Explore the identification of representatives from each academic unit to serve as a I&D liaison with the CDO.
Coordination assigned to: VPAA & CDO.
Status: ◯
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Goal 3 - Objective 4: Cabinet members should hold their departments accountable for carrying out I&D initiatives
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1. Annually, President Cabinet reviews I&D strategic planning documents (e.g., Action Plan, 2017-2023 Diversity Strategic Plan, University Plan) and provides updates.
Coordination assigned to: President's Cabinet
Status: ⬤ -
2. Review division/college/department-specific I&D initiatives to determine status of each.
Coordination assigned to: President’s Cabinet.
Status: ⬤ -
3. Highlight the unit-based initiatives during the Fall 2020 Diversity Celebration.
Coordination assigned to: President’s Cabinet.
Status: ◯
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