Diversity Profile
University of Richmond is committed to developing a diverse faculty, staff and student body, and to modeling an inclusive campus community which values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development and institutional success. In keeping with this commitment, our academic community welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and candidates who support diversity. EOE
The University of Richmond has developed and is implementing a five-part aspirational strategic plan which includes the following:
Principle II: The University of Richmond will be a diverse and inclusive community, strengthened intellectually and socially by the range of knowledge, opinion, belief, and political perspective and background of its members, whether of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability status, age, religious, economic, or geographic origin. Students will therefore be prepared to contribute to a diverse and global society.
Every University employee and student has the right to work and study in an environment free from discrimination and harassment and should be treated with dignity and respect. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment against applicants, students, and employees on the basis of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, status as a veteran or any classification protected by local, state or federal law.
Training and overall programmatic support which support this principle are provided to students by the Office of Common Ground, the Chaplaincy and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Training and overall support for staff and faculty are provided by the Human Resources Department. Specifically, the Talent Management team emphasizes the diversity and inclusion during the hiring and recruitment process and subsequently during employee training and development programs and initiatives.
Course Catalog Diversity and Inclusion Courses:
Increasing Cultural Competence - The University of Richmond is an international university. There are students, staff and faculty here from all over the world. This can be overwhelming for those from more homogeneous backgrounds. Culture and cultural competence have a tangible impact on personal identity and increase effective interpersonal communication. This course defines, explores and provides an opportunity for participants to develop an action plan to increase cultural competence. This session includes tips sheets and the opportunity for follow-up assessments.
Myers Briggs Type Indicator - Individual - After more than 50 years, the MBTI instrument continues to be the most trusted and widely used assessment in the world for understanding individual differences and uncovering new ways to work and interact with others. Knowing one’s own preferences and learning about other people’s preferences can help you understand where your special strengths are, what kinds of work you might enjoy, and how people with different preferences can relate to each other and be valuable to society. Results will be held private until they are made available to you by the facilitator. During the MBTI session, course participants will be asked to participate in a series of activities that will enhance understanding of individual results and how these results impact the workplace.
Building a Diverse Community - This course increases participant awareness of the categories of diversity and examines the impact of bias and stereotyping. Both individual reflection as well as a group review of a range of scenarios are includedin the course. Participants identify ways to build collaborative relationships which leverage individual differences and increase inclusion within the campus community. Participants will also identify specific actions for positive change.
Representative Student and Staff organizations include:
SASD (Student Alliance for Sexual Diversity) and WILL (Women Involved in Living and Learning).
The Office of Multicultural Affairs is a resource to support the enrollment and retention of under-represented students at the University of Richmond. The office also serves as a vehicle to promote a campus community that embraces difference and values inclusive diversity. 
As part of the University Staff Advisory Councils (USAC's) efforts to connect staff across campus, five affinity groups have been setup around areas that staff identified in a 2011 survey. Each affinity group sponsors programs, meetings and events throughout the year, as well as have active listservs where anyone can share information or resources. Each affinity group is led by a current USAC member as well as a non-USAC staff member from across campus. Current affinity groups are Elder Care, LGBTQ, Parenting, Cancer Care and Support and UR Involved.
Office of Common Ground - Common Ground focuses on the connections that students and employees make across differences and creates learning opportunities which foster our ability to understand the experiences of those whose life stories are very different than our own. More specifically, our office:
- - Offers students and others on campus opportunities to learn about diversity, inclusion, and social justice issues through focused dialogues, workshops, trainings, retreats and special programs.
- - Supports, collaborates with, and offers consultation to groups or campus offices working to foster inclusive diversity.
- - Serves as a confidential point of contact and advocate for students, faculty, and staff.
- - Publicizes diversity initiatives, events, and other opportunities to the campus community.