Office of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
We acknowledge that we live and work on Indigenous land: the traditional and unceded territory of Coast Salish peoples past and present, specifically the Muckleshoot, Duwamish, Coast Salish, Stillaguamish, and Suquamish Tribes.
About Us
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI)
Established in 2022, the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI) is a hub for equity, diversity, and inclusion at CityU. Working closely and in collaboration with the Social Justice Coalition (SJC), the OEDI aims to grow and develop the infrastructure necessary to sustain just and equitable institutional policies and community engagement.
Social Justice Coalition (SJC)
Our Mission
The Social Justice Coalition and the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion actively support City University’s mission by working to build a more diverse and inclusive environment for historically marginalized faculty, staff, and students. Our focus is to reduce barriers, create equitable access, and improve outcomes for Black, Brown, Indigenous People of Color, as well as people of all genders, sexual orientations, national origins, ages and abilities, religious affiliations and cultural association, military status, and citizenship or immigration status.
Our Vision
To become university and community leaders of social justice through knowledge and practice.
Our Values
The Social Justice Coalition and the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are committed to creating a learning and work environment that supports social justice, equitable access, respectful collaboration, and an inclusive culture.
History
After several highly publicized, and often politicized, murders of young Black men and women in the United States, City University of Seattle’s faculty and staff sent a call to action to the leadership of the university. The university’s leadership decided to form a coalition designed specifically to identify and address issues of social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the institution itself. In June of 2020, the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) was born and is staffed entirely by volunteers. The first three months were dedicated to identifying potential gaps in DEI at the institution and generating ideas for how to move forward. By month four, development of a diversity survey, a monthly newsletter, and book clubs were all created. The SJC continues to work toward furthering its mission to develop policies that enhance the university’s commitment to providing access to education to historically excluded students and focusing on creating processes to ensure that CityU recruits, hires, trains, and promotes a diverse group of faculty and staff.
Our Work
SJEDI Definitions
With the support of CityU leadership, the OEDI and SJC have formed specific working groups dedicated to the advancement of DEI focused initiatives as we work toward achieving the established goals.
Goals
The following goals are a priority for the university, the SJC, and the OEDI. Ultimately, we strive to become the university and community leaders of social justice through knowledge and practice.
- Create a sustainable, welcoming, and safe environment for all students
- Implement strategic plans based on the Equity Audit results
- Develop strong community partnerships
- Create a culture of inclusion for students, faculty, and staff
SJC & OEDI Initiatives
- Working to create a system of reporting discrimination in collaboration with the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI) for faculty, staff, and students,
- Produce comprehensive DEI focused training programs for employees, students, and the community,
- Several initiatives regarding inclusion of DEI in university and individual program strategic planning,
- A thorough review of all hiring policies and procedures,
- DEI focused research, innovation, and creative projects,
- And increase funding for OEDI to support ongoing and future initiatives and DEI activities.
Student Affinity Groups
The purpose of a CityU Chartered Student Affinity Group is for students to have the opportunity to cultivate a community that is supportive, reinforcing, and contributes to a student’s overall sense of belonging while attending CityU. The offering of an Affinity Group advances CityU’s commitment to providing opportunities for students to engage in student allyship, networking, advocacy, and an inclusive and equitable environment.
Accessibility Resources
City University of Seattle is dedicated to providing accessible resources to our faculty and students. Please visit our CityU Library Accessibility page here.
Inclusive Excellence Framework
Adopted by National University and City University of Seattle in 2021, this framework provides the structure needed to accomplish our goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the institution.
Climate Intra/Inter-Group Relationships
Create and maintain an inclusive and equitable learning and working environment.
Innovation, Transformation, and Infrastructure
Work with the Office of Innovation & Transformation to use innovative approaches to building a robust infrastructure to support our students and workforce.
Partnerships and Community Engagement
Leverage and maximize our capacity to have the greatest social impact on the communities we serve.
Access, Affordability, and Student Success
Increase and track diversity among faculty, staff, and students.
Learning, Training, and Research,
Coordinate the areas of equitable learning and training opportunities, informed by an understanding of unique and diverse student populations.
Contact Us
If you are interested in learning more or getting involved with the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, please contact us at OEDI@cityu.edu. To learn more about the Social Justice Coalition, please contact us at SocialJustice@cityu.edu.
More resources are also available from CityU’s Library.