NEIU EDI Definitions

Under the purview of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Northeastern Illinois University established definitions to clarify our mission.

Equity:

is the balance achieved when everyone receives what they need to successfully pursue their goals without having to sacrifice their integrity or well-being. Achieving equity requires a commitment to identify and rectify systemic exploitation, disenfranchisement, disregard, disrespect and exclusion that has institutionalized unequal access to opportunities, networks, resources and support in higher education

Diversity :

is the range of differences that shape who we are, who we are expected to be and become, and the likelihood we will face barriers in pursuit of our goals. Fostering diversity requires a commitment to understand, value and engage differences in backgrounds, identities, abilities, cultures and experiences for their capacity to help us identify and rectify structural inequities.

Inclusion:

is the experience of feeling welcomed, respected, valued and supported within a social, educational or professional community. Inclusion requires ensuring that the knowledge systems, perspectives and experiences of all community members inform equitable decision-making processes, policies, practices, social and material infrastructure that govern institutions of higher education. The perspectives and experiences of those historically excluded from and marginalized within higher education and its shared governance processes should be centrally engaged to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the barriers to true inclusion and how best to overcome them.