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Diversity Profile

Commitment to Equal Opportunity: 

VISION:

The Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity envisions the University of Kentucky as a community where equal opportunity is afforded to all, and individual contributions are valued and supported in the University's pursuit to become one of America's Top 20 public research institutions.

MISSION:

The Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity promotes an environment free of discrimination and inequity in accordance with the University Strategic Plan, and with federal and state equal opportunity statutes and regulations.

The Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity:

  • Collaborates with the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education Committee on Equal Opportunity
  • Develops and disseminates the University Affirmative Action Plan
  • Recommends and monitors the attainment of faculty and staff employment goals
  • Handles both internal and external complaints of discrimination
  • Trains the University community on equal opportunity and affirmative action issues
  • Fosters a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment

The Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity is responsible for upholding the University's commitment to equal opportunity for all members of the University community in academic programs, research, service and employment.

 

AA/EEO Office: 

Central to the work of UK’s Office for Institutional Diversity (OID) is Goal IV of the University Strategic Plan:  Promote Diversity and Inclusion. Towards achievement of this goal, OID  serves the entire university community and provides support and collaboration to the Office for Community Engagement. The vice president, assistant vice president and OID directors work across academic and non-academic units to implement ideas, collaborate on outreach and recruitment efforts, and to enhance student retention and achievement. OID staff provide consultation and assistance to the various colleges in developing diversity and inclusion strategies and metrics in their individual strategic plans. We work with the Office for Institutional Research and Institutional Effectiveness to help both academic and non-academic units make sense and use of data collected on students, faculty and staff, particularly as the information has implications for campus climate and inclusiveness efforts. OID works closely with the Office for Community Engagement in support of UK’s community outreach and service efforts. Issues of grievances, workplace conflicts and Affirmative Action should be directed to the Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity.

Contact Info: 

Office for Institutional Diversity

311 Main Building

Lexington, KY 40506-0032

Phone: (859) 257-9293

Fax: (859) 323-2800

Email: vpid@uky.edu



Center for Academic Resources and Enrichment Services (CARES)

Toni Thomas, Director

660 South Limestone Street

Phone: (859) 323-6347

Fax: (859) 257-2425



Student Support Services

Lydia Wims, Director

6 Alumni Gym

Phone: (859) 257-9797

Fax: (859) 257-2960



Diversity Education and Community Building

Rebecca Comage, Assistant Director

106 Student Center

Phone: (859) 257-0179



Health Center Student Diversity & Enrichment Services Office

A307 Kentucky Clinic, 0284

Phone: (859) 257-5196

Commitment to Diversity: 

With technology providing the opportunity to communicate across borders, it is important that an understanding and appreciation of cultural differences be promoted, allowing the clear exchange of ideas and information. The University of Kentucky is dedicated to creating a culturally diverse campus to engage and immerse students and to prepare them for their future in this global community. Equally, the University is striving to attract and retain a diverse faculty who can prepare students for the challenges and successes that lie ahead.

The Office for Institutional Diversity strives to promote campus-wide diversity initiatives, empowering colleges, schools, major units, and student-led organizations to develop their own programs and strategies. While collaborating with the many different and varied diversity efforts, the OID hopes to bring about a greater sense of community and involvement at the University of Kentucky. Learn about Diversity Efforts and of Colleges and Other Major Units and about Student Diversity Efforts.

The UK Commission on Excellence, Diversity and Inclusion (which supplants the former President’s Commission on Diversity and the former President’s Commission on Women) is an issues-oriented and Task Force driven commission.

Task Force on Student Services—Heavy on student membership and focused on issues of diversity and inclusion in undergraduate co-curricular activities and engagement.  The focus is more collaboration in programming and implementation among the various student groups and offices.  The intended result is tighter, more comprehensive programming with greater economic efficiency.  

Task Force on Academic Support & Enrichment—Focused on issues of undergraduate retention and graduation.  Some of the concerns include reasonable uniformity and cohesiveness in approach to services; the Coalition for Black Male Student Success; support of efforts for success of 1st generation students, and supporting efforts to increase diversity in study away. 

Task Force on Quality of Work Life—Focused on work life issues of UK employees that enhance diversity and inclusion efforts.

Women’s Initiative for Career and Leadership Development—Evolved from the former Circles of Power program and established linkage with the American Council on Education’s Office of Women in Higher Education and with the Governor’s Commission on Women.  The goal is to help women (both faculty and administrators at/above a certain level) develop a coherent approach to thinking through and acting on plans/opportunities for professional development and opportunities for leadership.  Not all opportunities will be at UK.  

Task Force on Partner Opportunities—Housed in Office for Faculty Affairs, focused on developing a protocol and structured approach for responding to needs of finding suitable opportunities for partners of strong UK recruits to the faculty and targeted administrative posts.

Task Force on Campus Climate—Focused on socialization issues that enhance UK’s quotient of being a welcoming campus environment.  Involves strategic planning efforts for specialized activities and opportunities with some of the deans, eventually to customize efforts in most Colleges as well as to create a collective psyche around a more embracing campus environment.

Task Force on Alumni Engagement—Focused on structured and strategic involvement of alumni in targeted diversity and inclusion efforts. 

LGBT Task Force—Established by the Office for Institutional Diversity, the University of Kentucky LGBT Task Force makes ongoing assessments of attitudes and conditions throughout the University regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons and issues.



The LGBT Task Force also makes recommendations for changes and seeks implementation of these recommendations on issues such as (1) the University-wide environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, staff, and faculty; (2) appropriate supportive services for such students, staff, and faculty; (3) educational programs for the entire University community; (4) other matters affecting the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community members at the University of Kentucky.

Latino Task Force— Focused on issues to increase the Latino population on campus. It's mission is to raise awareness, and provide a welcoming climate at the University of Kentucky for Latino students, staff and faculty.

Organizations/clubs/social networks: 

Find a dverse group of organizations that  fit your interests and learn about the benefits of joining such organizations here.

Community: 

The University of Kentucky is not only centrally located in one of the most beautiful and areas of the country, Lexington is one of among the most welcoming and livable communities you'll find anywhere. When it comes to pride in an incredible and diverse place to live, learn, work and do business, you'll see we mean, well, business:

Lexington's recent annual rankings, for example, include recognition for being among the best U.S. cities for work, business, education and families.

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