Executive Summary from Dr. Doris Houston
Greetings, It gives me great pleasure to present Illinois State’s inaugural edition of our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Annual Report. The values of equity, inclusion, and justice have been championed by faculty, staff, and students who have challenged systemic barriers since Illinois State’s formative years. From the social movements led by women’s suffrage groups of the early 19th century to the civil rights activism of the 1960s, visionary leaders have paved a pathway forward for the foundation of EDI that we continue to build upon today.
This annual report reflects the inspiring contributions, vision, and labor of love offered by members of our campus community during the 2020-2021 academic year. It is their efforts, voices, and unwavering dedication that is represented in the pages of this report. We each have a narrative that is unique to our lived experience and identities. The narratives within this report shine light on the talents, milestones, and advocacy work of our diverse campus community.
As I reflect upon this past year of challenge, I am truly grateful for each and every one of our campus and community partners. For it is through sustained partnerships, collaboration, and leveraging of talent and time, that we are able to celebrate accomplishments and reflect upon the challenges we have overcome. While we must continue to hold ourselves and each other accountable for the work that remains, it is important to afford ourselves the opportunity to find joy in the successes we have built together. These successes can be observed in our classrooms as hundreds of faculty members implement a year of the Framework for Inclusive Teaching Excellence. These successes can be observed through the work of our student leaders and activists who have challenged us to extend ourselves beyond the status quo. These successes can be viewed through the doors of our new Multicultural Center that provides an affirming environment for students to learn and flourish. Our success can be observed throughout each of our colleges and divisions that have invested in hours of professional development to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion on our campus.
During the 2020-2021 academic year, our focus has been on building a leadership infrastructure and knowledge base of expertise to extend and sustain our efforts. The President’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council (DIAC) works proactively with campus and community partners to create an equitable framework to ensure student, faculty, and staff success is obtainable and accessible for all who are a part of our campus. In addition, 37 departmental/unit-level diversity and anti-racism committees have been formed across our campus as part of our newly formed EDI Leaders Circle.
When I was asked to assume the role of interim assistant to the president in early 2020, no one could have foreseen the events that would unfold as COVID-19 loomed on the horizon. Simultaneously, our country and our communities experienced the relentless pain of racial strife, brutality, and civic unrest that challenged us all to reexamine our history, our values, and our perceptions and beliefs.
Yet, during this time of unprecedented challenge and uncertainty, we have persevered. We continue to overcome and we continue to stand here today, together, prepared to do what we do best at Illinois State University—teach, inquire, lead, create, and serve. I welcome you to explore the pages of this annual report and learn more about the ongoing journey of Illinois State as we continue to build our foundation for the benefit of all.
ILLINOiS STATE UNIVERSITY'S COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, INCLUSION, DIVERSitY, AND ANTI-RACISM A FIVE-YEAR EVOLUTION OF CAMPUS CHANGE
Illinois State University has been on a journey of reflective evaluation and forward actions to promote equity and inclusion while identifying systemic barriers that prevent progress. Below are charges from the Office of the President from 2015 to the present in the ongoing journey for equity.
Campus Climate Assessment and Climate Task Force, 2016-2017
Then-President Larry H. Dietz appointed the Campus Climate Task Force in the summer of 2016 to recommend changes related to equity and inclusion based on the results of the Campus Climate Assessment Report, prepared by external reviewers from the Center for Race and Equity at the University of Pennsylvania. The Task Force gathered faculty, staff, and student groups from across campus for a series of year-long dialogues, which resulted in two reports (short-term and long-term) that included specific “action items.” The reports were submitted to President Dietz in 2017 and presented to the Illinois State University Board of Trustees. Upon the completion of the Task Force’s charge, the Campus Climate Implementation Team was convened in 2017 to carry out the recommendations set forth in the Task Force reports. The short-term and long-term Task Force reports and updates can be found below.
Responsiveness to student demands
Comprehensive Plan to Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism
On October 16, 2019, President Larry Dietz convened a workgroup with student leaders from the #anti-BlackISU student movement (ABISU) to address concerns expressed by student activists during the October 7, 2019, student demonstration and subsequent testimony before the Academic Senate. Since the formation of the workgroup, campus administrators representing the Office of the President, Office of the Provost, and Division of Student Affairs met with student leaders two to three times per semester from October 2019 through April 2021 facilitated by Interim Assistant to the President for Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Doris Houston. Whereas equity and anti-racism goals were also identified by student-athlete demonstrators, graduate students, as well as select groups of faculty and staff, a comprehensive set of priority “action items” was developed by the assistant to the president for diversity and inclusion and implemented by campus leaders throughout 2020-2021. The report titled: “Comprehensive Plan to Promote Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism at Illinois State University” offers a detailed overview of initiatives currently underway to further promote equity, inclusion, and anti-racism at Illinois State University. Find the plan at http://bit.ly/CompPlanISU.
The President’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council, 2019-present
In 2019, as the Implementation Team was wrapping up the infrastructure for short-term suggestions, President Larry Dietz formed the President’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council (DIAC) to continue advancing equity, diversity, and Inclusion at Illinois State. Members were appointed from the campus Interdisciplinary Studies, faculty/staff affinity groups, and student leadership. DIAC members work proactively to create an equitable path to student, staff, and faculty success and a sense of belonging that is obtainable and accessible for all. Members gather monthly to discuss and recommend policy and practice changes, receive updates on campus EDI initiatives, and provide insights on immediate needs while working toward long-term planning and retention. More information can be found on the DIAC website.
Campus Climate Implementation Team, 2017-2019
The Campus Climate Implementation Team was convened in 2017 to implement the recommendations of the Task Force. Consisting of members of the cabinet and others in administration, the team established infrastructure and reporting mechanisms to deliver on suggestions from the Campus Climate Task Force as well as other ongoing retention, recruitment, and campus climate efforts to support underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. Updates from the team were chronicled in the Campus Climate Update Progress Report, which can be found on the DIAC website under Reports.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Annual Report for Illinois State University