DEI After SCOTUS: Creative Ways Schools Are Maintaining Diverse Campuses
As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts remain at the forefront of discussions. In June of 2021, the US Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin put a spotlight on the importance of maintaining diverse campuses, even in the face of legal challenges. This decision raised the question of how schools are navigating DEI initiatives after the SCOTUS ruling and what creative measures they are taking to ensure diversity on their campuses. In this article, we will explore some of the innovative strategies that schools are implementing to maintain diverse campuses post-SCOTUS.
Defining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Before we dive into the creative ways schools are maintaining diversity on their campuses, it’s crucial to understand the foundational concepts of DEI. Diversity refers to the representation of various identities, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and more. Equity emphasizes the fair treatment and equal access to opportunities for all individuals, while inclusion focuses on creating an environment where diverse individuals feel welcomed and valued. Together, these three components work towards creating a campus community that celebrates and embraces the uniqueness of every individual.
Challenges After SCOTUS Ruling
The SCOTUS ruling in the Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin case deemed the university’s holistic admissions process, which considers race as one of many factors, constitutional. However, the ruling also emphasized that schools must demonstrate that race-neutral admission policies are not enough to achieve diversity. This decision has put schools in a difficult position, as they must now justify the use of race as a factor in admissions while still remaining within legal boundaries.
Continued Focus on Holistic Admissions
Despite the challenges brought on by the SCOTUS ruling, schools have not wavered in their commitment to holistic admissions. Holistic admissions take into account an individual’s entire application, including academic achievements, extracurriculars, personal essays, and more. This approach allows schools to consider a student’s potential and unique experiences rather than solely relying on test scores.
Adopting New Metrics to Measure Diversity
In the wake of the SCOTUS ruling, schools are also looking towards other metrics to measure diversity on their campuses. Some institutions are using the Socioeconomic Diversity Index (SDI) to measure economic diversity, which takes into account factors such as family income, parent education level, and more. Others are utilizing a modified version of the ADI (Academic Diversity Index), which considers race and ethnicity, along with socioeconomic status and first-generation student status.
Creative DEI Initiatives in Action
While navigating the post-SCOTUS landscape, schools are also coming up with innovative strategies to foster diversity on their campuses. Here are just a few examples of these creative DEI initiatives.
Recruiting Diverse Faculty and Staff
One crucial element of maintaining a diverse campus is having a faculty and staff that reflect the diversity of the student body. Schools are actively working towards this by implementing programs and initiatives to recruit and retain diverse faculty and staff members. For example, some institutions have created mentoring programs for faculty and staff of color, while others offer targeted recruitment efforts at conferences and job fairs.
Creating Inclusive Campus Spaces
Another way schools are promoting diversity and inclusion on their campuses is by creating safe and inclusive spaces for marginalized groups. This can include creating LGBTQ+ resource centers, multicultural centers, and diversity and cultural centers. These spaces serve as a hub for students to find support, resources, and a sense of community.
Diversifying Curriculum and Course Offerings
In addition to creating inclusive campus spaces, schools are also working towards incorporating diversity into their curriculum and course offerings. This means expanding the range of courses that touch on topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as incorporating diverse perspectives and authors into existing courses. It allows students to engage with and learn from a variety of experiences and perspectives, helping to foster a more inclusive and diverse learning environment.
Conclusion
The SCOTUS ruling in the Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin case may have posed challenges for maintaining diverse campuses, but schools are rising to the occasion with creative and innovative strategies. By continuing to focus on holistic admissions, diversifying metrics for measuring diversity, and implementing new DEI initiatives, schools are steadfast in their commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse campus community for all students.
