Diversity Profile
Cleveland state university is committed to building an inclusive community that recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of every person; fosters tolerance, sensitivity and mutual respect among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach his or her own potential. To this end, the university embraces human diversity and is committed to equal access, equal opportunity, affirmative action, and eliminating discrimination. This commitment is both a moral imperative consistent with an intellectual community that celebrates individual differences and diversity, as well as a matter of law.
The Office for Institutional Equity (formerly known as the Affirmative Action Office) is responsible for the administration of the University's equal opportunity and affirmative action policies, programs and procedures.
- We work cooperatively with departments and units to provide training and information on unlawful discrimination and affirmative action issues to increase awareness of these issues throughout the university community and promote the full participation, well being and equitable treatment of all students, faculty and staff, regardless of age, race, color, genetic information, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.
- The Office for Institutional Equity is primarily responsible for the investigation and resolution of all complaints of unlawful discrimination, including complaints of sexual, racial and any other types of unlawful harassment. We seek to achieve a fair and prompt resolution of discrimination complaints and take appropriate action when necessary.
- The Office for Institutional Equity assists in the recruitment of faculty and professional staff by monitoring searches and works collaboratively with the Department of Human Recources in monitoring classified hiring.
- We train Search Committees on best outreach and recruitment practices to attract diverse pools of qualified applicants and to insure that all applicants are treated fairly and equitably.
- We maintain effective contacts with organizations and agencies which serve and provide access and opportunities for women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans.
The Office for Institutional Equity reports directly to the General Counsel of the University.
Yulanda McCarty-Harris, J.D.
Director
Senior Certified Affirmative Action Professional (Sr. CAPP)
216.687.2223
y.mccartyharris@csuohio.edu
Mariah Butler Vogelgesang,, J.D.
Associate Director
216.687.2223
m.vogelgesang@csuohio.edu
Mary Knuckles
Secretary
216.687.2223
m.knuckles@csuohio.edu
Diversity and multiculturalism are among the most distinguishing qualities at Cleveland State University. Diversity for us is not an aspiration – it is simply who we are. Our challenge is not so much to pursue diversity, but to leverage this great asset to the maximum benefit for the campus community and the broader city and region by making sure that diversity and inclusion are integral to everything that we do as an institution.
The Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement works collaboratively across the Cleveland State campus to support strategies that advance diversity, to enhance programming and activities that build and nurture a broadly diverse campus community, and to support the social and academic success of the University’s diverse student population.
Under the authority of the Vice President for University Engagement and Chief Diversity Officer, and directly managed by the Assistant Vice President for Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement, the Office has three areas of focus.
- Aggressively advance the goals of the University's Diversity Action Plan by creating a synergistic relationship between the President's Council on Diversity and the eight College Diversity Councils.
- Assist students from diverse backgrounds to more effectively connect to resources, faculty and mentoring on campus as a way to help ensure their academic success.
- Assist in the coordination of multicultural programming on campus, including the development of a multicultural student center in conjunction with Student Life and other campus programs.
In September 2010, the Cleveland State University Board of Trustees approved the University’s Diversity Action Plan entitled “A Roadmap for Inclusive Excellence in Meeting the Challenge of a Diversity Academy.” The document’s eight goals, which range from supporting the academic success of students from diverse backgrounds to engaging diverse external communities – align with the highest strategic priorities of the University. Cleveland State employs a consistent organizational structure of authority and accountability that ensures substantive, measurable progress is made on an annual basis toward achieving the goals of its Diversity Action Plan. This structure, overseen by the Chief Diversity Officer and the Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement, includes the President’s Diversity Council and the eight Deans Diversity Councils.
Multicultural Student Success and Multicultural Programming - The Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement offers specific programs and activities that assist students from diverse backgrounds to more effectively connect to resources and support networks on campus that will ensure their academic and social success. These initiatives complement an array of programming across campus designed to make sure that all students who attend CSU graduate in a timely manner and are equipped for lifelong success.
Student Organzations - The Department of Student Life’s mission is providing quality services and opportunities that engage students and enhance the University experience. To ensure a multifaceted experience, Student Life provides a wide range of campus activities, student organizations, service opportunities, leadership experiences, and educational events for the CSU community. Students engaged and/or involved in student organizations enjoy their college experience and believe they are equipped for the workforce.
The 5 Cs of Community Engagement - Faculty, students and staff are involved in a variety of civic engagement activities at Cleveland State University. Although all are valuable in their own ways to student learning and community well-being, they vary in many ways. In an effort to differentiate among these diverse efforts, the University uses a framework called the Five Cs: Connect, Cooperate, Collaborate, Consult and Career. Each civic engagement partnership is associated with one of these five categories to assist university and community stakeholders as they navigate through them. A simple matrix below gives some explanation as to how these categories differ.