Albion College Diversity Plan

2010-2011 Diversity Plan

Introduction

Albion College has always been a leader in preparing students for life in the world beyond college. From the 19th century when pioneering doctor, teacher, minister and suffragist Anna Howard Shaw was a student, to the end of the 20th century with the establishment of courses in gender and ethnicity as requirements for all students, Albion College has been committed to issues of equal rights, education, spirituality and justice.

In addition, the following “core values” were among five established in our Vision and published in Liberal Arts at Work (1998):

• Diversity as an expression and affirmation of the human condition and as a source of strength and celebration; and we strive to achieve fairness and justice and to foster personal responsibility.
• Intellectual, personal, social, ethical and spiritual development within our community that prepares graduates for productive lives and careers; and we strive to help each other make meaningful contributions to a global society.

The development of the Diversity Plan in 2003-2004 demonstrates that Albion College reaffirms these values of diversity, justice and community. Undergirding the plan is the belief that living and learning in a diverse community best prepares students to succeed in a world that is increasingly intercultural. Today, the College responds to a rapidly changing and increasingly global society by taking steps to create a vibrant community that reflects the diversity of the world around us and allows diversity to flourish. In order to do this, the College community will initially focus on three main areas:

1. Creation of a community that is welcoming, caring and respectful of all people;
2. Recruitment and retention of a more diverse faculty; and
3. Recruitment and retention of a more diverse student body.

Diversity is defined as an expression and affirmation of the human condition and an understanding of what it is to be human. While Albion College values, embraces and affirms all aspects of diversity, initial efforts to enhance diversity will focus on gender, race, ethnicity and national origin. The College recognizes that other aspects of diversity such as age, class, disability, region, religion and sexual orientation also contribute to the diversity of our community. This inclusive definition of diversity results in positive learning and growth for individuals, our College and city communities.

The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees charges faculty, staff and students to intentionally prepare students to belong to, participate and succeed in, and advance a global society. To this end, we commit ourselves as members of the Albion community to establish and maintain a diverse community. We affirm the goals and advocate the action steps included in this Diversity Plan with the understanding that the plan will continuously be improved by conducting the on-going (a) assessment of stated outcomes and (b) revision of action steps. The plan will continuously be updated on this Web page, and on an on-going basis, the community will be encouraged to submit comments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Progress will be monitored by the President’s Advisory Committee on Intercultural Affairs and Administrative Council. On a regular basis, progress will be reported to the community and the Board of Trustees Academic and Student Affairs Committee, Executive Committee and full Board of Trustees.