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Eastern Oregon University

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
One University Blvd
LaGrande, Oregon 97850
Phone
(541) 962-3672
School Information
Prepare for the world beyond college with Eastern Oregon University’s high-quality liberal arts and professional programs. Classes are available when and where you need them – at our main campus in La Grande, online almost anywhere in the world or onsite at our centers across the state. Educational, cultural and economic growth is important to our region, state and nation. That’s why we are committed to providing a personal, student-centered experience in all that we do.
General Information
Eastern Oregon University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and educator, committed to building a diverse and inclusive community and learning environment. The committee has the following aims and is aligned with the University’s values, principles, and strategic goals: The recruitment and retention of students representative of the demographics of Eastern Oregon and the region, with special attention to underrepresented groups; Providing resources (financial aid, work, advising, and (crriculum) to all students to ensure access to college; Ensuring diverse, equitable, and inclusive student, faculty, and staff participation; Striving to make the educational experience inclusive through curricular and co-curricular innovation. (source: https://www.eou.edu/diversity/) EOU Diversity requirements (DPD): Beginning Fall 2010, students admitted to Eastern Oregon University seeking a bachelors degree will be required to complete a minimum of 4 credits of Difference, Power, and Discrimination (DPD) coursework. (source: https://www.eou.edu/registrar/dpd/)

Actions Taken

Admissions Policies
  • One of the aims of the Diversity Committee is "[the] recruitment and retention of students representative of the demographics of Eastern Oregon and the region, with special attention to underrepresented groups."
  • The Diversity Excellence Mentoring Program at provides "personal support, assistance, social guidance, and positive campus survival skills to underrepresented first-year students to address social and personal support, which will contribute to their success and enhance EOU’s effort to recruit, retain and graduate students from diverse backgrounds."
Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • The ad hoc committee on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion is considering expanding DEI training for the campus community. See committee meeting minutes.
  • For the 2023-2024 school year, EOU offers an "annual calendar of Equity-focused Professional Development" for its employees which includes "21 Day Challenges, Common Book Reads, and topical presentations and discussions." 
  • The 2023 CEAD (Celebrate, Educate, Appreciate, Diversity) Conference took place on May 6, 2023, at EOU which includes the "Dialogues on Diversity workshop that will provide tools that help participants gain greater awareness of emerging cultural and demographic trends." CEAD presents "an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and community members across Oregon to explore critical issues around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging."
  • The Center for Culturally Responsive Practices offers a "Culturally Responsive Practices Workshop Series" as part of its 2024 spring professional development.
Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • EOU Diversity requirements (DPD): Beginning Fall 2010, students admitted to Eastern Oregon University seeking a bachelors degree will be required to complete a minimum of 4 credits of Difference, Power, and Discrimination (DPD) coursework.
Program and Research Funding
  • The Center for Culturally Responsive Practices states, "by making culturally responsive pedagogy available to teachers, schools can better create classrooms in which student language, culture, and backgrounds will be responded to and infused within every aspect of education and curriculum."
  • EOU faculty "examine[d] participant experiences in state-funded projects to diversify Oregon’s teacher workforce." Their work was funded by the Educator Advancement Council (EAC), which aims to push "more culturally-affirming classroom practices and environments."
  • EOU's First Citizen Award scholarship "was created to encourage Native American students to enroll and complete a four-year degree from Eastern Oregon University." Applicants to the program must "[p]rovide documentation of tribal and/or native corporation membership."
Resources
  • The annual CEAD Conference invites attendees to gain a greater awareness and understanding of power, privilege, biases and stereotypes, as well as a broader understanding of differences in groups, backgrounds, cultures, practices and worldviews. The thoughtful and informative dialogue also challenges multiple perspectives and fosters understanding.
  • EOU is utilizing a tool to improve equity at the university called "Moon Shot for Equity" which was developed by EAB, an outside educational organization. Between 2022-2027, EOU "will review systems that commonly present barriers for our students, scale up systems that work, and evaluate progress over time." Moon Shot for Equity "addresses student success through an equity lens and coordinates initiatives and grants across the institution to ensure efficiency and effectiveness."
  • The Diversity Committee strives to "make the educational experience inclusive through curricular and co-curricular innovation."
  • EOU published its 2020 "Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Strategic Plan."
  • EOU's 2022-2023 academic catalog included a course titled "Social Change & Social Justice" (SOC336) which is described as follows: "An application of sociological theories and research to issues of social, political, economic, environmental and cultural justice. Examines connections between personal and social change with attention to the power of social movements and skills for personal and group action."
  • EOU's 2029 Strategic Plan states that it would "[s]upport intercultural competency, inclusiveness, and diversity."
Last updated September 24th, 2024
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