Augustana University

AU's 2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan states that it would "Assess current practices related to recruiting, enrolling and retaining a diverse student body" and would "review adequacy of financial aid resources necessary to support a more diverse student body."

In Augustana's 2019 "Diversity and Inclusion Plan," it planned to "Define institutional standards to be used by search committees that will emphasize diversity as a consideration and conduct inter-cultural competency and sensitivity training for search committee members." This process is to be repeated for administrators, coaches, and support staff.

Augustana offered a "Diversity Advocate Certification Program." This program includes seminars on "Understanding Bias," "Safe Space Training," "Intersectionality," "Critical Race Theory," and "Supporting Systemically Non-Dominant Students."

In Augustana's 2019 "Diversity and Inclusion Plan," it created a goal to "Conduct inter-cultural competency and sensitivity training that develops core diversity awareness for all campus community constituencies--faculty, administrators, coaches, support staff and students."

AU created a flyer listing all of its Fall 2023 "Diversity Advocacy Courses" which are a series of training courses on diversity. Included in the offerings are, "Intro to Diversity Advocacy," "Leading Inclusive Diverse Searches," and "Understanding Bias."

AU's 2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan states that it would "Conduct inter-cultural competency and sensitivity training that develops core diversity awareness for all campus community constituencies—faculty, administrators, coaches, support staff and students."

In Augustana's 2019 "Diversity and Inclusion Plan," it planned to "Enhance students' understanding of diversity-related engagement..." To this end, the University commits to "Integrate diversity education and experiences more deliberately into the curriculum, starting with FYS (First Year Seminar) courses and including advanced courses (ideally as part of each major, but particularly for pre-professional programs in business, nursing and education)." This process is to be repeated for faculty.

AU's 2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan states that in order to "Integrate diversity education and experiences more deliberately into the curriculum," it would do the following: "Facilitate professional development opportunities for faculty related to effective integration of diversity education (e.g., inclusive pedagogy, mentoring, advising)"; "Include more courses that expand the diversity of ideas and perspectives within disciplines and that are likely to attract more diverse faculty and students"; "Explore new majors, minors and academic programs (e.g., social justice) that have a more direct focus on diversity and that create different career and service pathways for students."

AU's 2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan states that it would "Create a diversity fund to encourage and support innovation related to diversity initiatives."

Augustana has a "Diversity and Inclusion Office" which "supports a community of learners who value and support diversity, cultural competency and multicultural education."

Augustana Dean posted "A Call to Action" on behalf of the schools condemning a "resurgence of attacks on Black bodies." He asks students to "educate" themselves and provides a link "with resources for allies and accomplices to aide in your anti-racism work." He adds, "Be sure to remember, when your hear and see folks declaring that "Black Lives Matter," don't respond that "All Lives Matter." In theory, yes, all lives matter; however, right now, we are concerned with the lives of Black folks who are suffering tragic deaths due to social injustices, anti-blackness, and systemic disregard of their lives. Therefore, Black Lives Matter."

Augustana hosted a "Black at Augustana" event in October 2020 to have a "conversation" and "educate students" on what blacks students are "feeling," "facing," and "fighting for."

"More than 100 members of the Augustana community gathered both virtually and in-person to pay witness to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement Oct. 30 where students shared personal experiences, called for changes on campus and urged allies to step in." Augustana sophomore Tsegab Arega moderated the event and commented, "It's not our job to educate the campus." "We do it because it is embedded in our DNA to fight for equity. That is something our administrators should do, especially if 'diversity' is considered a core value."