Campus Update on Diversity and Inclusion

Leaders from across the University of Louisiana System, including me on behalf of Southeastern, are committed to diversity and inclusion on our respective campuses.  I want to update the campus on progress that is being made on several related initiatives. 

Following discussions with campus constituents, it was determined that achieving additional diversity among our employees, particularly among our faculty ranks, might be enhanced by modifying some of the search procedures associated with filling vacancies.  Accordingly, as part of the Workday rollout, a new “Work with Us – Join the Pride” webpage was designed and launched.  The webpage is intended to encourage interest in employment at the University by promoting our diverse and inclusive Southeastern family. The new campus employment landing page can be viewed here.

In addition, to help attract more diverse applicant pools, Human Resources is working with departments to identify discipline-specific venues for posting advertisements that include networks for underrepresented groups.  Based on feedback from the various units, Human Resources will maintain a list on the Human Resources website for departments to reference when indicating where they would like job postings to be advertised.

In recent years, Southeastern has benefited from programming provided through the Employee Wellness Committee, which is charged with addressing all aspects of wellness, including social, vocational, intellectual, environmental, spiritual, emotional, financial, and physical.  Among its other initiatives, the Committee is incorporating programming that seeks to foster a diverse and inclusive campus culture.   

Information about an upcoming diversity workshop sponsored by the Employee Wellness Committee can be found here. Information about future programming will be shared as details become available.

Finally, I am pleased to announce the creation of a Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council.  The members of this group will reflect the broad diversity of our Southeastern family and will advise the President and division heads on a wide array of issues and initiatives related to diversity and inclusion.   Dr. Elizabeth Hornsby, Assistant Professor of Communication and Media Studies, has agreed to chair this important group.

I will continue to share additional details about these and other topics of importance to the campus community as they become available.

 

John L. Crain
President