Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Steps

Invest in Diversity and Inclusion Training for Students

We have invested in EVERFI diversity and inclusion training. This program will help students develop skills and learn key concepts related to identity, bias, power, privilege, and oppression. All undergraduate students will complete the program prior to their arrival on campus in January.

Enhancing cultural relevance in DSS

The DSS office will launch a multi-step plan to improve connections, diminish barriers, and facilitate the provision of culturally relevant supports and services to students.

Bias Reporting Process

Student voices will be included in the bias reporting process through the expansion of a student board. Student applications for membership are being accepted. Policy was updated to enhance clarity and transparency. Website was updated to include a flow chart and data on prior incidents.

Active listening to students, alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators

University leaders are engaged in active listening to understand the issues and concerns of members of the community.

Form Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Alumni Advisory Board

The office of alumni engagement and office of equity and inclusion are partnering in the creation of a diversity, equity, and inclusion alumni advisory board.

Launch “Voices on Equity: A Lunchtime Series with Loyola”

Created for the Loyola and greater Baltimore communities, this lunchtime webinar series features members of the Loyola community and others.

Incorporate racial justice and anti-racism initiatives more fully into Messina

• Selected The Master Plan for our annual Messina Common Text. Conversations and programming around this text will occur throughout this year.
• A module on anti-racism was developed for use in Messina enrichment sessions. Racial justice was also incorporated into the mandatory Bystander intervention enrichment session for all first-year students.
• August 2021: In collaboration with Student-Athlete Support Services, annual Messina training opportunities for Messina faculty, mentors, and Evergreens welcomed THREAD, a Baltimore-based organization that provides long-term and team-based mentorship for underserved city students. This workshop included activities that explore topics on The Privilege of Relationships, Questions to Open Up, Interrogating Bias & Perspective, and Active Listening..
• Fall 2021 and Spring 2022: Provided campus and community-based programs, including a viewing of the documentary, Charm City held at The Senator Theater .
• Messina’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion webpage, which is now live, explains all of Messina’s initiatives and holds our office accountable.

Integrate anti-racism into SGA curriculum and training

SGA students will participate in training based on the book, So You Want to Talk about Race?

Offer diversity reading groups

This program saw the highest number of participants ever in the Spring 2023 semester.

Create Support Spaces

Create group affinity spaces, including Black Minds Matter, an affinity space for Black students to discuss wellbeing in the face of racial injustice, and Student-Athletes for Social Justice (SA4SJ).

Create Accountability Spaces

Biweekly meetings, facilitated by two staff of the Counseling Center, are occurring for students to learn about white accountability for dismantling racism.

Train management in inclusive hiring practices

Administrators and staff are instructed in these areas in Mission Driven Leadership and other programs.

Recruit and retain ALANA faculty

Beyond the Hires Strategies have been implemented within departments and schools, and retention data are monitored annually.

Department Chair trainings will include guidance on creating culture and climate of belonging and auditing for equity issues at the departmental level.

Eliminate application fee for all first-generation applicants

Create empowering and safe student spaces

The Counseling Center continues to run workshops, support groups, and additional programming throughout the year.

Launch SA4SJ (Student-Athletes for Social Justice)

Student-Athletes for Social Justice (SA4SJ) is dedicated to transforming the climate for Loyola University Maryland student-athletes, coaches, staff and administrators by developing and creating a more inclusive environment, with a focus on the Black Lives Matter movement, LGBTQ+ communities, and other marginalized groups. Our vision is to support and advocate for marginalized groups on our campus, while educating members of the Loyola community that do not identify with these groups.

Update Evergreen Training Curriculum

In August, Evergreens participated in a more in-depth training that included videos, short readings, mini quizzes, and reflections with clear examples to highlight dynamics of privilege, identity and bias. Student Engagement will continue to review and revise training as needed.

Re-establish the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Board

Student government leadership and the office of equity and inclusion are partnering to re-establish the diversity, equity, and inclusion advisory board. This board will serve as an important link between undergraduate students and the President’s Council on Equity and Inclusion.

Provide opportunities for faculty to demonstrate excellence in E&I

Loyola College of Arts & Sciences (LCAS) faculty report on DEIJ work as part of their annual update process

The School of Education has a DEIJ focus in its approach to transformational education. All faculty are involved in this curricular and student success work. .

The Sellinger School of Business & Management has integrated a DEIJ focus in its school-level strategic plan. Faculty are actively engaged in these efforts as defined by the Sellinger strategic plan

Analyze student persistence and success

Analyze student persistence and success in particular undergraduate majors; disaggregate data by race/ethnicity for intended major/major change and for intro courses grades (DFW) in STEM and in Sellinger concentrations.

Resume the Black Faculty, Administrator, and Staff Association (BFASA)

The CEIO will call a meeting in Fall 2023 to relaunch the BFASA. A group leader and updated charge will be identified at the fall meeting.

White Colleague Accountability Groups

Create space for white faculty, administrators, and staff to engage in reflection and anti-racist work.

A semester-long space with weekly to biweekly meetings is occurring for white and white-passing faculty, administrators, and staff to engage in reflection and anti-racism work. Participants also meet weekly with their own three-person accountability group for additional reflection and commitment to action.

Revise performance evaluations to include accountability toward University DEI goals

Equity & Inclusion Faculty Fellows program

The Equity and Inclusion Faculty Fellows program is designed to provide our campus with opportunities to learn best-practices in equity and inclusion. Fellows work on specific projects for the year culminating in one campus-wide training or initiative.

E&I Faculty Fellows are full-time faculty members who have demonstrated expertise and a commitment to continued growth in their dedication to equity and inclusion.

Increase number of Baltimore City residents in the undergraduate population

Develop enrollment strategy to enhance the yield of Baltimore city public, charter, and catholic high school students.

Conduct Equity Audits

A three-year equity audit plan has launched this fall. Equity audits in each division will be centered on policies and practices with the aim to eliminate disparities in student, faculty, staff, and administrator performance and success.

Curriculum

In Spring 2023, Loyola’s Academic Senate overwhelmingly voted in support of a proposal to modify the current Diversity Course requirement, which requires undergraduate students to take one Diversity Designated Course as part of their graduation requirements.

The major changes include renaming the requirement to the Diversity-Justice Course Requirement to highlight the importance of social justice in our undergraduate curriculum. Also, the number of required Diversity-Justice Designated courses will be increased from one to two (2024-2025 Academic Catalog) at first. Then, starting in the 2027-2028 Academic Catalog students will take a third D-J course within their major.

These changes are being implemented by the new Diversity Justice Course Requirement Committee, which has Faculty Representatives from all Loyola Divisions and student representatives from several divisions.