- Mailing Address
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1003 W Sunflower Road
Cleveland, Mississippi 38733 - Phone
- (662) 846-4020
- Email address
- admissions@deltastate.edu
- Website
- https://www.deltastate.edu/
- School Information
- Delta State University was founded in 1924. "Delta State University is a public institution providing a comprehensive undergraduate and graduate curriculum to approximately 3,500 students representing all of the states and 50 different countries. Dozens of degree programs on the undergraduate level provide educational opportunities in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education and in the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing. Graduate programs on the master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral levels provide advanced training in a broad range of disciplines. Acknowledging its beginning as a teacher’s college, the University sustains excellence in teacher education while continuing to expand offerings in traditional as well as unique programs of study. From the core disciplines such as arts, humanities, and sciences, to unique programs such as Commercial Aviation, the Delta Music Institute, and the nationally-recognized Geospatial Information Technology program, the University is committed to meeting the evolving needs of the students it serves" (Source: https://www.deltastate.edu/about-dsu/). Delta State offers over 40 majors. Its student to faculty ratio is 11 to 1.
- General Information
- Delta State has taken numerous actions to promote diversity issues, such as creating a Diversity Advisory Committee to launch a campus-wide campaign. Numerous diversity programs and events are being held and the school offers several courses in diversity. DSU is working on curating diversity training. See developments below:
Actions Taken
- Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
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The Diversity Advisory Committee will "continue diversity workshops for faculty, staff, and student leaders."
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Delta State hopes to "encourage the contributions of each individual in its learning community by providing venues for multicultural education and training in an environment of mutual respect."
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- Resources
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In March 2021, "Delta State University continued important conversations on race, equity and inclusion during its seventh annual Winning the Race conference." This conference discussed the death of George Floyd.
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The Diversity Advisory Committee will "use more visual communication to promote diversity- posters, displays, website."
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The Diversity Advisory Committee will "provide more programming, such as guest speakers and panel discussions, that focus on diversity-related issues."
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The Diversity Advisory Committee will "provide opportunities for faculty, staff and students to enhance their understanding of diversity and of multicultural sensitivity."
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The Diversity Advisory Committee will "promote curricula to include more opportunities for student engagement in issues of diversity in classroom."
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The Diversity Advisory Committee will "encourage the university to create the position of Chief Diversity Officer."
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Delta State has held numerous events as part of its Quality Enhancement Plan which functions in "improving cultural competence." This program highlights Ibram X. Kendi's book, 'How to Be an Anti-Racist."
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DSU's February 10, 2022 Academic Council minutes included a discussion regarding state legislation that would prohibit the teaching of Critical Race Theory in public schools. The minutes state, "On behalf of Delta State, President LaForge shared with Commissioner Rankins the university’s stance on not supporting 'Critical Race Theory' legislation."
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DSU Library has a "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Resources: Anti-Racism Pedagogy" webpage which includes "Black Lives Matter and Music," "How to Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi, and "How to Recognize your White Privilege and Use it to Fight Inequality."
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The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at DSU states that it would "Reexamine curricula for narratives which exclude, erase, and/or diminish groups of people, even if that means breaking from 'traditional' modes of thinking and teaching," and "Support faculty and staff engaged in developing or enhancing DEI courses with incentives, such as stipends, time, mentoring, tenure and promotion weight, and professional development opportunities."
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- Symbolic Actions
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Delta State has a Diversity Advisory Committee which hopes to launch a "Diversity Awareness Campaign."
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The Diversity Advisory Committee will "create and implement 'Diversity Champions' with recognition going to individual or department who best promotes academic and social inclusiveness across campus."
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Delta State has a Georgene Clark Diversity Champion Award.
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