Provost's Advisory Committee on Diversity identifies goals, metrics in report

The Provost's Advisory Committee on Diversity has released a report identifying 10 areas of action that will serve to educate the Purdue community about diversity and inclusion, provide tools for greater knowledge, skills and awareness, and implement transformative practices relevant to diversity, sensitivity and inclusion. The ACD report also includes new standards of accountability and assessment to capitalize on strengths and address weaknesses. The report is available here.

"This report includes input from key constituencies and will remain a living document as the Purdue community continues to broaden participation and strive for inclusive excellence," says Deba Dutta, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity. "In order to move from discussion to action, the committee is releasing this report as an articulation of what needs to be done by focusing on goals and related action items and metrics."

The ACD consists of 30 members, including faculty, staff and students. The members were charged with identifying specific goals and metrics to enhance diversity and inclusion at Purdue. In the report, the committee has identified the following goals:

* Increasing diversity in student enrollment.

* Retaining diverse students.

* Increasing diversity in faculty and staff hiring.

* Retaining diverse faculty and staff.

* Embedding diversity in the curriculum and creating inclusive classroom settings and learning processes.

* Providing co-curricular activities in support of the diversity and inclusion mission.

* Educating leaders to foster diversity and inclusion.

* Inspiring broad involvement in enhancing diversity and rewarding a culture shift.

* Coordinating and communicating diversity and inclusion efforts.

* Evaluating progress in diversity and inclusion plans and ensuring accountability throughout the colleges and units that report to the provost.

The committee already has started to discuss the next phase, which will focus on an implementation plan that details unit-specific and campus-wide agendas for achieving the goals and ensuring accountability. 

Comments and questions about the report should be directed to Mark Smith, member of the Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Team and dean of the Graduate School, at mjts@purdue.edu.