Four foundational elements were identified to ensure the themes and related actions from the community engagement sessions could be realized. These foundational elements will create an infrastructure for success that will position Dartmouth to implement the DEI strategic plan across the institution. These elements are:
Definition of Key Terms
As the College shifts to an institutional approach to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion, it is critical that all areas of the College use the same language and definitions to describe this work. Below are definitions for terms used throughout this plan. Corresponding data sharing language for reporting on demographic metrics is an action item in the plan that when implemented will align reporting across Dartmouth.
Key Definitions
- Diversity includes attributes such as race, gender identity, age, ethnicity, ability, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status, among other aspects of identity. The composite of the various backgrounds present in the Dartmouth community makes the campus diverse. Diversity coupled with equity, inclusion, and belonging allows for optimal creativity, innovation, and academic excellence.
- Equity is successfully creating structures and systems that disrupt existing and potential barriers to individual success and ensuring that all persons are treated fairly. Our progress toward equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging addresses the historical legacies of exclusion, promotes social justice, and equips every member of our community to thrive.
- Inclusion is an active, intentional, and ongoing individual and organizational effort in which people from different backgrounds or identities are culturally and socially welcomed, considered in decision-making, and treated equitably. The result of effective inclusion efforts is belonging (see below).
- Belonging refers to a personal sense of feeling seen and valued for being our authentic selves. Belonging is experienced and enforced through cultural messaging that the institution purposefully creates.
Institutional Climate Survey
As a part of this new strategic plan, Institutional Diversity and Equity, in partnership with the Office of Institutional Research will develop a new process to disseminate an institutional climate survey for all students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional), faculty (at all ranks), and staff (academic and administrative). This survey will provide insights that can inform college-wide policies and decisions while providing snapshot comparisons for departments and divisions to assess their climate in relation to the rest of the College. Summary survey data will be made available to the Dartmouth community through accessible dashboards. The launch of the institutional survey is anticipated in 2023.
Resource Alignment and Assessment
Resource allocation is often the clear indicator of an organization’s priorities. As such, the success of this plan will be reliant upon the College’s commitment to financial and human resources that will supply the additional capacity necessary to transform the culture of Dartmouth. The first step is creating mechanisms to track and assess current expenditures related to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The Division of Institutional Diversity and Equity and the Division of Finance and Administration are collaborating to build a tracking mechanism to determine the College’s annual expenditures on DEI-related efforts.
By assessing the current level of support for this work, the College can determine the allocation of new resources and ensure that new initiatives and positions are aligned with the goals set forth in this plan.
Repositioning of IDE
As a first step in fulfilling its expansion, the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity is now a cross-institution division with two offices: Equity & Compliance and Diversity & Inclusion. The Equity & Compliance Office encompasses staff who oversee civil rights protections and programming at Dartmouth including ADA/504 (disability rights), Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action, Titles VI & VII (discrimination and harassment) and Title IX (sex discrimination).
To further align with Dartmouth’s mission and provide departments and divisions across the institution with adequate support, a formal assessment of IDE’s organizational structure is underway. That report will provide key insights into how IDE can grow as a unit to develop a more robust system of consultation and support while responding to the complex needs of partners across the institution.