Diversity, Inclusion and Equity

The School of Social Work’s students, staff, and faculty explicitly condemn all forms of oppression, colonialism, racism, and white supremacy. Further, they acknowledge the social work profession, including youth and social justice work, is complicit in these practices. Because anti-racist work requires constant self-reflection, we are dedicated to examining biases within our community, our committees, and the School at large. We commit to elevating voices and leaders from our communities, including Asian American Pacific Islander, African American, Black, brown, Indigenous, and others who are most affected by oppression. We believe in confronting our personal and collective biases and acting to promote a culture of equity, healing, and restorative justice.

The SSW’s Equity, Justice, and Inclusion (EJI) Committee is charged with paying specific attention to fostering an atmosphere within SSW that welcomes all aspects of diversity. The Committee will also work to promote equity for marginalized groups in all of the School’s undertakings, contribute to planning and assessing activities that address diversity and equity for marginalized groups, and serve in a consultative role to other Standing curriculum committees and other SSW committees. The Committee will also advocate for action within the School relative to recruiting and retaining diverse students, faculty, and staff.

For more information about the University’s diversity policy and practices please visit:

University policy on Equity & Diversity: https://z.umn.edu/5ktj
Office for Equity and Diversity: https://diversity.umn.edu/

The University has several offices across campus whose purpose is to support underrepresented students and promote diversity. The following is a list of some of those offices:

Disability Resource Center

diversity.umn.edu/disability

Disability Resource Center promotes access and equity for students with disabilities (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, sensory or systemic) and assists the University in achieving its mission to provide optimal educational opportunities for all students as well as obligations under federal and state statutes. Students are responsible for contacting Disability Services for more information or to arrange accommodations.

Graduate School Diversity Office

grad.umn.edu/diversity

The Graduate School Diversity Office coordinates and leads the University’s initiatives in the recruitment, funding, retention and graduation of a diverse graduate and professional student body. The office is situated within The Graduate School and works with other units connected to diversity and multiculturalism.

The Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life

gsc.umn.edu

The Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life is dedicated to transforming campus climate for University of Minnesota students, staff, faculty, alum and community members by developing and supporting more inclusive understandings of gender and sexuality through education, advocacy, outreach and support.

International Student and Scholar Services

isss.umn.edu

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is the office dedicated to serving the University’s international community. Its primary mission is to assist international students and scholars in successfully accomplishing the goals that brought them to the University, by using all available resources. Services include:

Counseling and advising
Immigration and visa regulation advising
Newsletters
Career services
Academic opportunities for university students

Tax return information

Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence

mcae.umn.edu

The Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (MCAE) is a campus-wide resource that promotes an inclusive atmosphere to foster and enrich multicultural understanding among all members of the University community. MCAE's commitment to creating such a climate is driven by a student-first culture in which students are the highest priority.

Office of Equity and Diversity

diversity.umn.edu

The mission of the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED) is to leverage the transformative power of equity and diversity to advance excellence in teaching, research and community engagement at the University of Minnesota. OED envisions a University where equity and diversity are:

Integrated into the work and lives of every student, faculty and staff member.
Recognized as core institutional values, and will inform thinking, policies and practices throughout the University.
Inherently intertwined with academic excellence and the development of leaders for a globally inclusive society.

Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action

eoaa.umn.edu

The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) was founded in 1972 to ensure that all University community members uphold federal and state civil rights laws and regulations, as well as University equal opportunity policies. The EOAA Office envisions a University community that is equitable, one that values the diversity of its workforce and student body and is free from discrimination and harassment.

Women’s Center

womenscenter.umn.edu

The Women’s Center advances equity for women students, staff, faculty, and alumni across identities. The Women’s Center increases connections for women’s success, cultivates socially responsible leaders, and advocates for organizational culture change toward excellence for all.

Student Conflict Resolution Center

sos.umn.edu

The Student Conflict Resolution Center (SCRC) offers informal and formal conflict resolution services to resolve students' University-based problems and concerns. An ombudsman provides confidential, neutral, and informal options. An advocate is available to assist students in formal grievance or disciplinary proceedings.

Bias Response & Referral Network

bias-response.umn.edu

The Bias Response and Referral Network (BRRN) responds to reports of bias incidents on the Twin Cities campus. The BRRN’s goal is to contribute to a campus climate that is welcoming, inclusive, and respectful for all. The BRRN provides support resources to impacted parties, promotes education and dialogue, and affirms the University's commitment to equity and diversity, free speech, and academic freedom.

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