COVID EQUITY RESPONSE
During the 2020-2021 academic year, institutions of higher education such as Illinois State University were challenged to meet the safety needs of students, faculty, and staff while navigating the uncertainties of COVID-19. The stakes related to expenditures of human capital, social capital, institutional sustainability, and the safety and well-being of the University community were extremely high. The COVID-19 Equity Workgroup at Illinois State provided well-reasoned and compassionate guidance to decision makers while centering the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund
Resources to support student retention and success during the COVID-19 pandemic included $1.9 million from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund to spend during both 2021 and 2022. To date, the University has so far utilized $963,000 of these funds on the following initiatives:
$841,374
Loaner laptops and other equipment for students
$106,512
Outreach materials/opportunities for student recruitment
$106,512
Outreach materials/opportunities for student recruitment
$1,888
Grant funding for registered student organizations
COVID-19 Equity Workgroup
The DIAC COVID-19 Equity Workgroup provided COVID planning recommendations to Illinois State administrators tackling issues surrounding the pandemic through an equity lens.
Identity Matters: Personal Profile Options
Illinois State students and employees can now update personal information that includes pronouns and gender. The changes will appear in select systems, including the admission application and the main campus information system (Campus Solutions). Resources and work needed came from the All-Gender Committee and the Cross Functional Committee, University Housing, Student Accounts, Human Resources, the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of Financial Aid, and University Advancement.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Annual Report for Illinois State University