Core Component 1.C

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DRAFT

1.C The institution understands the relationship between its mission and the diversity of society.

  1. The institution addresses its role in a multicultural society.
  2. The institution’s processes and activities reflect attention to human diversity as appropriate within its mission and for the constituencies it serves.

Argument

1.C.1 Based on Fall 18 data, the  SIUC student body was 63.5% White, 14.3% Black/African American, and 8% Hispanic. The undergraduate student body was 65.8% white, 14.8% Black/African American, and 9.2 % Hispanic/Latino. Compared to data from the US Census Bureau, the citizens of the State of Illinois in 2018 are estimated as 61% White, 14.6% Black or African American, and 17.4% Hispanic/Latino. SIUC is moderately aligned with the state demographics, especially in regards to Black/African Americans, while noting that the southern Illinois demographics are 89.3% White, 7.1% Black/African American, and 2.3% Hispanic/Latino. By comparison, the undergraduate enrollment in 2014 of White students was 62.2%, Black/African American 19.9%, and Hispanic/Latino 7.7%. This trend shows an increase in the percent of Hispanic students, but a decrease in Black/ African American students. 

Support for our diverse student body is provided throughout the entire campus:

  • Student Multicultural Resource Center
    • Black Resource Center
    • LGBTQ Resource Center
    • Women's Resource Center
  • Gender-inclusive Housing
  • Office of Equity and Compliance
  • School of Medicine Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Success through Engineering Excellence and Diversity
  • College of Business Office of Diversity and Inclusion
  • African Student Council
  • Hispanic Student Council
  • National Association of Black Journalists
  • Women in Aviation
  • Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
  • Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences

1.C.2. The institution’s processes and activities reflect attention to human diversity as appropriate within its mission and for the constituencies it serves.

The Board of Trustees adopted a framework for a number of system-wide diversity and inclusion initiatives including awareness-building activities, student-focused initiatives, and human resources development. The Southern Illinois University Diversity Advisory Council is an ad hoc committee that oversees these initiatives. SIUC's Diversity Council was established to facilitate the university's efforts to increase diversity and eliminate cultural barriers on campus. The Chancellors have maintained regular blogs and disseminated updates to address racial tensions on campus.

The Student Multicultural Resource Center organizes activities, including the 2017 Salukis United in Diversity Conference, which support the multiple cultures of students that attend SIUC with the mission “We promote an environment of collaboration with the entire SIU campus to educate, affirm, evaluate, and advocate for excellence and inclusivity in all areas. We support student success in learning and development while nurturing an institutional climate of social justice and equity.” SIUC features over 50 registered Student Organizations for minorities, non-traditional students, students with limited abilities, first generation students, and veterans.

 

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