DEI Definitions
Diversity: Diversity is the various backgrounds, lived experiences, values, and worldviews that stem from differences in culture and circumstance. This includes race, ethnicity, gender and gender expression, age, religion, language, (dis)ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, geographic region, and more. Some of these identities may be marginalized in the broader society. As our society has grown more diverse, our understanding of how these varied identities face barriers to success also increased. Each of these identities, often in combination with others, requires a complex understanding of the institutional and societal context and distinctive responses to encourage success.
Equity: Equity is the active process of identifying and eliminating or reducing the structural barriers related to race, class, disability and gender and other identities that limit access or prevent full participation in our institutions; it requires understanding the root cause(s) of disparities, identifying the barriers, and redressing, particularly, the exclusion of historically underrepresented groups within our society. Equity works to ensure justice, access, opportunity, and advancement for individuals within the policies, practices, procedures, processes, and distribution of resources by institutions or systems.
Inclusion: Inclusion is the intentional act to include difference and create environments where any individual or group is welcomed, respected, supported, valued, and given the opportunity to fully participate. Inclusion fosters a sense of belonging through centering, valuing, and amplifying the voices and perspectives of all individuals and includes eliminating practices and behaviors that marginalize groups of people or individuals.
Justice: Justice is the outcome of dismantling barriers to resources and opportunities for people who live in marginalized communities. Justice occurs when all individuals can live a full and dignified life and all communities can thrive.
Anti-Racism: Anti-racism is the active process of identifying, challenging, and confronting the longstanding, continuing, and historical roots of racism and the resulting racial inequities that emerge in institutions. This active anti-racism process that can lead to racial equity requires confronting systems, organizational structures, policies, and practices, and the often-invisible barriers that have led to continuing racial inequities in higher education. Inevitably these issues immediately intersect with similar issues concerning other identities such as gender and class. Racial equity is achieved through the intentional design and implementation of strategies that improve outcomes and eliminate racial disparities.
Access: Access is having the unfettered ability to take full advantage of the resources and opportunities available.
Belonging: Belonging is the extent to which people know and feel that they are valued, respected, included, and celebrated for their individual and unique contributions and identities.