The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) affirms its commitment to
fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. The students, faculty and staff,
as well as the curriculum, scholarship and initiatives of the College must
reflect the diversity of the communities that the University of Delaware is
committed to serve. Specifically, the College will:
Cultivate an inclusive academic and social environment.
Provide an inclusive, respectful environment that fosters opportunities for
open dialogue, discussion and conflict resolution. Educate our students to
think about and engage their personal identities, experiences and culture
toward greater acceptance and understanding. Encourage academic innovation, and
support programs and curricula, that engage our students across a wide range of
cultural and intellectual learning styles and experiences, within and beyond
the conventional classroom. Develop and disseminate research and best practices
for sustaining a diverse, transformational and fully inclusive environment.
Strengthen recruitment and retention efforts to support inclusive
excellence. Improve the recruitment, retention, and academic and
social support networks for historically underrepresented, first-generation,
low-income and international students, faculty and staff. Increase
degree-completion rates, as well as successful transition of underrepresented
students into leading graduate and professional programs. Increase the
diversity of students completing graduate degrees in CAS. Create enhanced and
more equitable opportunities for the professional development, career
mentoring, and promotion opportunities available to the underrepresented
communities that the University serves.
Lead community engagement initiatives. Partner effectively
with other colleges and University offices to shape curricular and
co-curricular experiences that develop positive relationships with local,
community-based, statewide and national groups. Build partnerships with
nonprofit organizations and other key stakeholders to organize service and
research projects in historically underserved groups and neighborhoods. Invest
in local neighborhoods to engage and serve Delaware residents and communities.
The Committee would like to have your comments
on this commitment, reports on activities you are already engaged in to
increase diversity and cultivate an inclusive environment, and your thoughts
about priorities for further action.
Please email CASinclusion@udel.edu with your ideas.
Please stay tuned for additional ways to get involved and make your
voice heard, as the committee will continue outreach in the coming months to
collect important feedback from you, our faculty, staff and students.
