The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion works in alignment with the mission, goals, and values of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
We are an institution that is diverse in race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, physical and mental ability, religion, political belief and affiliation, sexual orientation, and perspective. We value our campus diversity and our office endeavors to help create a university environment that is inclusive; where students, faculty, and staff feel safe and can show up and exist as their complete and authentic selves. We will support continuous professional development and training opportunities for faculty and staff to elevate the climate and culture of our campus community. It is our desire to partner with members and organizations in the surrounding communities to support causes that impact the lives of those we serve.
The EDI office is committed to working with administration to examine and eradicate historical policies and practices that have perpetuated systemic inequities and to develop a holistic plan of action to create an environment where the members of our campus community will receive a high-quality education, live, grow, work and thrive.
VISION STATEMENT
The University of WI-Parkside envisions a community where race, ethnicity, and other human differences are not predictors of success and well-being. UWP’s mission of providing high-quality educational programs, creative and scholarly activities, and services responsive to its diverse student population, and its local, national and global communities will be fully recognized once we allow for opportunities of understanding and transformation. The campus commits to:
- Establishing a narrative thread that connects and strengthens groups, events, and activities in order to counter the structural biases that exist.
- Educating and building awareness about the root causes of disparities and disproportionality in programs and social systems.
- Transforming systems that have upheld racial hierarchies.
- Celebrating our individual humanity and encourage vulnerability as a way of knowing.
- Creating a community dedicated to surfacing and constructively engaging sentiments that inhibit inclusivity and equity.
- Eliminating policies and practices that continue to perpetuate racial disparities through systematic racism.
- Acknowledging diversity is a strength and grants our stakeholders a pathway to understanding that differences are an asset.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
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.
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Centers
Special Events
There are no upcoming events at this time. Please check back later.
Upcoming Events
There are no upcoming events at this time. Please check back later.
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusions in partnership with The Center for Excellence in Inclusive Teaching and Learning is offering colleges and departments the opportunity to have facilitated So, Let's Talk (SLT) conversations about issues related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice. If you are interested in hosting a SLT session that is specific to your departmental needs, please submit the request form to schedule:
Contact Trina Patterson at patterst@uwp.edu or Amber Handy at handy@uwp.edu for more information.
We look forward to engaging with you in these conversations, as we all learn and grow together.
Multicultural Student Organizations and Affinity Student Groups
Other Cultural and Learning Opportunities
Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside recognizes the importance in serving all students and strives to become a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). With a 17.9% Hispanic student population, we are the first public university in the state of Wisconsin recognized as an Emerging HSI.
Uncovering Alternative Histories
The courses will explore the historical narratives of groups that have experienced and participated in the making of history, but whose narratives have been mediated, appropriated, or erased. Each year of the project will focus on an alternative narrative of groups that have experienced history, and in that experience, have participated in the making of history. The first year of the program will focus on the Native American Narrative, the second on the African American Narrative, and the third and final year on the Hispanic American Narrative.
Descubre Parkside
Welcome to Descubre Parkside (Discover Parkside)! Our program seeks to partner with heavily populated dual-language schools to foster the idea that college is an achievable option for any student.
¡Bienvenidos a Descubre Parkside! Nuestro programa de Descubre Parkside busca asociarse con las escuelas altarmente porbladas de lenguaje dual para formentar la idea de que el colegio es una opción realizable para cualquier estudiante.
Yo Soy Parkside
Yo Soy Parkside is a visit day for prospective Spanish-speaking students and their families to meet current students and faculty and to discover the many real and amazing reasons to Be at Parkside.