About the Division of DEI

Vision

The Division of DEI will facilitate Rowan University's efforts to be the leading university committed to addressing persistent issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion that result in positive outcomes for students, faculty, and staff.

Mission

The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Rowan University leads and supports initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion by developing and sustaining meaningful and collaborative relationships that result in a more diverse and inclusive community and centering the voices of our community to drive university-wide culturally sustaining initiatives and equitable opportunities.

Core Values

• Collaboration
• Inclusion
• Lifelong Learning
• Respect
• Introspection

Rowan University's Statement on Diversity

Rowan University promotes a diverse community that begins with students, faculty, staff, and administration who respect each other and value each other's dignity. By identifying and removing barriers and fostering individual potential, Rowan will cultivate a community where all members can learn and grow. The Rowan University community is committed to a safe environment that encourages intellectual, academic, and social interaction and engagement across multiple intersections of identities. At Rowan University, creating and maintaining a caring community that embraces diversity in its broadest sense is among the highest priorities.

Diversity

We commit to promoting and increasing diversity which is expressed in various forms, including race and ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, language, culture, marital status, national origin, religion, age, (dis)ability status, and political perspective. As the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) so often points out, diversity should be talked about as "inclusive excellence," for only when a campus is truly inclusive can it make a claim to excellence.

Equity

Equity is the guarantee of fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all students, faculty, and staff, while identifying and eliminating barriers that prevent full participation of some groups. Equity-minded practices are created through:

• Willingness to look at student outcomes and disparities at all educational levels disaggregated by race and ethnicity as well as socioeconomic status.
• Recognition that individual students are not responsible for the unequal outcomes of groups that have historically experienced discrimination and marginalization in the United States.
• Respect for the aspirations and struggles of students who are not well served by the current educational system.
• Belief in the fairness of allocating additional college and community resources to students who have greater needs due to the systemic shortcomings of our educational system in providing for them.
• Recognition that the elimination of entrenched biases, stereotypes, and discrimination in institutions of higher education requires intentional critical deconstruction of structures, policies, practices, norms, and values assumed to be race neutral. (AACU)

We commit to working actively to challenge and respond to bias, harassment, and discrimination. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status.

Inclusion

Inclusion is the active, intentional, and ongoing engagement with diversity—in people, in the curriculum, in the co-curriculum, and in communities (intellectual, social, cultural, geographical) with which individuals might connect—in ways that increase one's awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within systems and institutions. (AAC&U)

The Rowan University DEI Council is responsible for leading in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the university's diversity strategic action plan. Council members are comprised of representatives from the following groups: academic units (Diversity Committee Chairs/Associate Deans), Student Enrollment Management, Advising, Admissions, International Center, Faculty Center, Student Affairs, Academic Success Center, Wellness Center, Library Services, Facilities, Equity and Diversity Office (Title IX), ASCEND, SJICR, Public Safety, Alumni Engagement, Advancement, Diversity Faculty Senate Committee, Human Resources, and student leaders.

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We commit to working actively to challenge and respond to bias, harassment, and discrimination. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, veteran status, and other protected categories.