November 17, 2021
The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) released a new guide for higher education leaders to foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice on their campuses. A Framework for Advancing Anti-Racism Strategy on Campus is a comprehensive tool to support students, faculty and staff as they work to shift culture.
NADOHE convened a task force to create the framework last year to assist diversity officers and higher education leaders with advancing anti-racism strategies after the senseless murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd and the rise in incidents of anti-Black racism on college campuses.
“NADOHE’s Framework is a foundation to build upon as we work together to eradicate systemic racism and advance racial equity on campus. If colleges and universities wait to respond only to individual events or take action only after harm is done to their communities, they will fail to truly create safe, equitable conditions for their marginalized students. Working together toward a common goal, we can transform our institutions of higher education into equitable, just and inclusive organizations,” NADOHE President Paulette Granberry Russell, J.D. said.
NADOHE Anti-Racism Task Force Chair Clyde Wilson Pickett, Ed.D. added, “This is a tool for those who seek to gain greater understanding about confronting systemic and institutional racism and the effort required to create more inclusive and welcoming structures. How much longer will we tolerate acts of hate, and what are we going to do about them? As diversity officers, we may not yet have specific answers to these questions, but we mustn’t shy away from leading discussions on race, racism, and specifically anti-Black racism.”
The Framework identifies ten priority areas where anti-racism strategies would improve conditions for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students, faculty and staff.
The priority areas include:
1. Institutional Structure
2. Policies and Procedures
3. Resource Allocation
4. Academic Equity and Student Success
5. Curriculum and Pedagogy
6. Hiring, Retention, and Promotion
7. Institutional Programming
8. Education/Training/Employee Development
9. Campus Climate/Culture
10. Admissions and Access
The Task Force developed areas of concern and areas of effort for each priority area. These areas are designed to help diversity officers and campus leaders identify where changes need to be made and resources need to be allocated.
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The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) is the preeminent voice for chief diversity officers. As the leader of the national conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion, it investigates, influences, and innovates to transform higher education so that inclusive excellence lives at its core.