Overview
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force (DEITF) will operate under the direction of the University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council (DEIAC). The DEITF is focused on identifying the next phase of Rocky Vista University’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and processes. An intensive 90-day, results-oriented planning initiative has been defined, focusing on identifying initial and ongoing measures to begin our journey of building our diversity, equity, and inclusion foundation.
This recommendation and related planning initiative will consist of four distinct task force teams, which will work independently as they each focus on one of four broad categories, created to identify operational processes and/or unique areas of focus within the institution.
Each task force plan will provide:
- An actionable plan to be submitted to the DEIAC within a 90-day deadline. This plan should include an environmental scan of best practices, along with strategies for improving existing policies and processes and/or creating new innovative policies and processes. The objective is to identify those items that can be immediately implemented within the academic year;
- Intermediate and long-term goals for future planning are encouraged;
- Plans presented and submitted in written form describing:
- The particular situation the plan is addressing;
- A designated goal(s) that the plan intends to achieve;
- Appropriate strategies for achieving the plan’s goal(s);
- Appropriate measures to evaluate achievement of goals.
Plans should benefit the University with:
- Simple yet profound ideas to address cultural competency; innovative, forward thinking; measurable, curricular excellence within a new normal;
- Clear, actionable recommendations that support bold progress toward achieving greater unity as an RVU community;
- Projects to encourage personal responsibility, reflection and behavioral change while welcoming and including all members of the RVU community; and
- Educational strategies to address issues of bias, discrimination, and/or harassment.
Task force plans will also be expected to:
- Respect our collective human experience and leverage a broad range of differences;
- Prioritize and promote change where needed;
- Enhance our learning community;
- Develop measurable, evidence-driven action and accountability;
- Further diversify our students and workforce demographically and facilitate inclusive thoughts through fearless dialogue;
- Spark greater personal humility, deeper introspection, and responsibility to improve;
- Request additional resources, such as research and expert consultation to enhance plan development, as necessary.
Completed task force plans will be submitted to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council
on or before an assigned deadline. Each group will present their plans to the DEIAC.
Task Force Organization
The composition of each task force will include members from both the Colorado and Utah campuses and will be comprised of both University employees and students. Task force members may be selected from nominations submitted by members of the University community and/or through self-nominations resulting from a University-wide open call for participants. The DEIAC
will serve as the selection committee. Task force members will be assigned an initial quarterly term; however, the term of any task force member may be either extended or abbreviated at the discretion of the Task Force Chair.
Task Force Chair
Each task force will be led by a Chair to be nominated by the DEIAC and recommended to the President who will make the final selections. The Chair will have responsibility for leadership of all task force activities including organizing meetings, establishing task force processes, and coordinating the development of the task force plan submission. The Chair will have the ability to make assignments within the task force and to require specific contributions from task force members. The Chair may solicit participation in task force activities from individuals outside of the task force, as necessary. The Chair may also make the decision to designate a Vice Chair to assist with her or his responsibilities.
Task Force Membership
Each task force will be composed of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 employee members. In addition, each task force may have up to 3 student members. All task force members are expected to attend task force meetings. The final selection of member names for each task force will be announced University-wide.
Task Force Processes
Each task force will be required to meet every other week at minimum. Although each task force will work independently, each group should expect to be asked to participate in meetings with other task force groups where the general direction and progress of each group will be collectively discussed.
Mentors, advisory consultant(s), and administrative assistants may be requested by each task force to facilitate the completion of its work. These requests will be reviewed by the DEIAC and appropriate appointments will be made. It is expected that current diversity resources such as committees, individuals, and other internal subject matter experts will be called upon by task force members for assistance. The use of these existing institutional resources will not require DEIAC review or approval.
Each task force will work as a team to create a plan, which will be submitted in writing to the DEIAC upon completion, according to an assigned deadline. Each task force will be asked to present a summary of their plans orally to the DEIAC.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council will thoroughly review each submission and determine which submissions can be implemented quickly and which require additional time and planning for implementation. The DEIAC will coordinate the recommendations for review with the President to begin coordination with strategic planning and presentation to the Board of Trustees. It is anticipated that the next phase of intermediate and long-term planning will be necessary.
