Justice, Equity, diversity, and inclusion
UW-Parkside is committed to providing an environment in which our diverse community of students, faculty, and staff can thrive. We aspire to foster a more equitable and inclusive climate and culture between and among students, faculty, and staff, and to improve justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in every aspect of campus life.
JUSTICE
Definition
Justice is the deliberate practice of dismantling structures and systems that maintain historical and current inequities. This requires the continuous and proactive critique of current policies, practices, power structures, cultural messages, and social norms with the intent to achieve and sustain equity for all diverse identities.
Aspiration
UW-Parkside will actively engage in addressing issues of injustice both within and outside the institution. Resources are equitably allocated and all individuals have access to information and structures of power. Individuals are physically, psychologically, and emotionally safe and secure, and are empowered to become advocates for themselves and others.
EQUITY
Definition
Equity is not the same as equality. Equity recognizes that we do not all start from the same place and acknowledges and addresses historical and current imbalances.
Aspiration
Achieving equity demands the institution continuously evaluate systems and structures and remove biases and barriers that impede an individual's holistic success at our institution.
DIVERSITY
Definition
Representation of all the characteristics that make up human differences, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, class, physical and mental ability, religion, political belief, national origin, and other social identities represented in a space, community, institution, or society
Aspiration
The campus community reflects the different identities represented in the region we serve, in all areas and levels of the institution. Promoting and acknowledging diverse perspectives and life experiences enhances the learning environment for all.
INCLUSION
Definition
Ensuring differences are welcomed, different perspectives are respectfully heard, and every individual, especially those who have been historically excluded because of their identities, feels a sense of belonging.
Aspiration
Creating, fostering, and sustaining practices and conditions that encourage and allow each of us to be fully ourselves as we work and learn together. Diverse identities and experiences are invited, appreciated, and supported so that all individuals feel that they belong at UW-Parkside and are respectfully heard and valued.