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Georgia Southern University

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
1332 Southern Dr
Statesboro, Georgia 30458
Phone
(912) 478-4636
School Information
"With almost 27,000 students, approximately 140 different degree programs, three campuses on a single vision of growing others, Georgia Southern University is already moving and ready for more. The historic brick streets or moss-dripping oak trees may make our picturesque campuses seem pristine, but there’s a lot of roll-up-your-sleeves work going on here. Research is focused on community impact. Teaching is focused on the students. And the students are focused on their future." The university also has a 21:1 student-faculty ratio. (Source: https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/about/)
General Information
Georgia Southern University has provided resources to its students regarding Critical Race Theory. This year, the university invited Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings to lead the 2021 Fries Lecture. She will discuss how "pandemics provide opportunities for revisioning and reimagining culturally relevant teaching practices." The university recently created the President’s Diversity Advisory Council (PDAC) which aimes to "creat[e] and maintain an inclusive campus environment." No mandatory Critical Race Training sessions are yet required of students. However, see developments below:

Actions Taken

Admissions Policies
  • GSU's 2020-2024 Inclusive Excellence Action Plan states that it would "Increase the representation of diverse students, faculty, staff and community partners at all levels of the University."
Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • According to the Parker School of Business, the GSU Training Site (requires log-in credentials) "teaches how to develop cultural and diversity competencies, discusses microaggressions, equality, and equity, and ends with a discussion on how diversity competencies impact engagement with others."
  • The Office of Multicultural Affairs at GSU offers "presentations that enhance diversity competencies, which can contribute to an inclusive and equitable society" including such topics as; "General Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion," "Social Justice," and "Bias and Stereotypes."
Faculty/Staff Requirements
  • The Parker College of Business at GSU stated that between 2022-2023, "All faculty searches followed Office of Inclusive Excellence protocol; all committee members complete [sic] T3 Professional Training."
Program and Research Funding
  • The Minority Advisement Program at GSU is a "peer-to-peer mentoring program that helps students transition into Georgia Southern University" and "matches freshmen students (MAPees) with upperclassmen (MAP Sponsors) to assist with their acclimation to college life and Georgia Southern University."
  • The McNair Scholars Program at Georgia Southern University "prepares underrepresented, high-performing students for graduate school." The program "seeks to increase the number of first-generation, low-income, and/or underrepresented students in Ph.D. programs, and ultimately, diversify the faculty in colleges and universities across the country."
  • GSU's Office of Inclusive Excellence offers "Campus Life Enrichment Committee Funding" which "funds intercultural programs that align with and support Pillar 3 of the Georgia Southern University Strategic Plan: Inclusive Excellence." Up to $1,500 will be awarded for each proposal and the program will continue into the 2024-2025 academic year.
Resources
  • The university invited Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings to lead the 2021 Fries Lecture. She will discuss how "pandemics provide opportunities for revisioning and reimagining culturally relevant teaching practices."
  • The university is hosting the "National Cross-Cultural Counseling and Education Conference for Research, Action, and Change" with topics such as "Identity Development: Racial, Ethnic, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Spiritual/Religious, and Ability" and "Anti-Oppression/Anti-Racism."
  • Web page dedicated to Anti-Racism Resources provided by the Diversity of Student Affairs Counceling Center.
  • Parker (College of Business) DEI Committee members "serve as facilitators on the journey to achieve equity and inclusion in our College."
  • The Parker College of Business provides various resources on diversity, equity and inclusion, unconscious bias and racism which includes Robin DiAngelo's "White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism." 
  • GSU's 2020-2024 Inclusive Excellence Action Plan states that it would "Implement strong, genuine, and consistently communicated culturally inclusive practices that reinforce the strategic plan...."
  • The President’s Diversity Advisory Council at GSU "assist[s] with identifying Inclusive Excellence opportunities, developing strategies to address those needs, and implementing programs that advance and enhance diversity and inclusion throughout our campus community."
  • The goal of GSU's African-American Male Initiative is "to enhance retention, progression, and graduation by creating a culture of academic support and success throughout students’ matriculation."
  • GSU Libraries provides "Black Lives Matter: Race, Policing, and Protests" resources, including "A list of resources for supporting the Black Lives Matter movement," "Check Your Privilege Workbook," and "Ways to Help Fight Anti-Black Police Violence."
Symbolic Actions
  • In 2018, GSU published an article titled "Marker honors first African-American students at Statesboro Campus."
Last updated August 1st, 2024
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