Diversity Council

Mission

We foster sensitivity and mutual respect among members of the Lesley community, and offer encouragement and support so that all individuals can strive to reach their full potential. At the heart of our mission is a commitment to social justice for all. To this end, we are dedicated to the honoring and understanding of differences in all their dimensions. We believe in leveraging these differences by addressing constructs of power and privilege which often result in oppression, marginalization, and discrimination. Our work focuses on retention efforts of students, faculty, and staff, that support and encourage the creation of a diverse community. We devote our efforts to inspiring and maintaining a college environment that embodies the positive attributes of a civil and just society.

History

In the summer of 1993, Lesley University received a generous grant from a private donor to promote diversity and multicultural education. The Lesley University Diversity Council was formed with these funds. At the heart of the Diversity Council is the goal to create a campus living and learning environment that prepares Lesley students to become positive forces for diversity in their professional lives and within their communities.

Margaret McKenna, the president of Lesley University at the time, appointed a Special Assistant to the President for Affirmative Action, to coordinate The Diversity Council and promote strong campus-wide support. An executive committee composed of staff, faculty, and administrators, formed the steering committee, which in turn created six sub committees to address diversity issues across key areas: recruitment and retention, curriculum and instruction, institutional assessment, quality of life, diversity training and development, and student diversity issues.

In 1995, The Diversity Council worked with a private consulting firm to conduct an institution-wide culture audit. The audit reviewed recruitment and retention documents and statistics, held discussions with focus groups from all areas of the Lesley community, and also conducted personal interviews. The audit helped clarify where Lesley stood around issues of diversity and what further efforts were needed.

As part of its mission, the Diversity Council periodically examines curriculum. Beginning in the summer of 1994, Lesley began offering curriculum development workshops and stipends for faculty to revise or create courses and curricula that incorporate diverse and multicultural perspectives. Particular attention has been paid to pedagogy, assessment, and attitudinal change. By reforming the curriculum, Lesley helps prospective teachers, human service professionals and managers become more aware and effective in an increasingly diverse world.

In an effort to effect change within the culture of the Lesley community, The Diversity Council has organized several workshops for core and adjunct faculty, staff and administration. These workshops explore the topics of cultural identity, exploring cultural patterns in the workplace and hiring practices, managing with a diverse perspective, and creating a multicultural environment.

In October 1996, after a year of research and discussion, Lesley University announced a new Spousal Equivalency Policy. This policy seeks to promote equity related to sexual orientation by acknowledging same-sex relationships and offering equal health, dental and tuition remission benefits.

Lesley has also made recruitment and retention of faculty, staff, and students who are racially and ethnically diverse people a priority.

In 1984 a study showed that racially and ethically diverse people made up 5% of employees and in 1994 the number increases to 17%. In subsequent years the number decreases to 14.5%.
In 1987 students who are racially and ethnically diverse people made up 7.5% of the undergraduate students and in 1994 the number increases to 15.9%. In subsequent years the number continues to increase to approximately 17%.

In their meetings, the six committees generated ideas and action plans to carry out the work of the Diversity Council. Projects developed include: compiling a film library that reflects multicultural perspectives, training of trainers to lead workshops on multicultural and diversity awareness, examining accessibility to the University for people using wheelchairs, and expanding diversity training for adjunct faculty and diversity training for new employees.

The Diversity Council is striving to ensure that Lesley University reflects America's increasing multicultural population. As a result, Lesley strives to become an increasingly safe and inclusive community.