- Mailing Address
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1501 Mercer University Drive
Macon, Georgia 31207 - Phone
- (478) 301-2650
- Email address
- admissions@mercer.edu
- Website
- https://www.mercer.edu/
- School Information
- "Founded by Baptists in 1833, Mercer is an independent university that remains grounded in a tradition that embraces freedom of the mind and spirit, cherishes the equal worth of every individual, and commits to serving the needs of humankind" (Source: https://www.mercer.edu/about-mercer/mission-and-vision/). Mercer is home to over 180 academic programs as well as 12 schools and colleges. Its total student enrollment is over 9,000, and the university has over 1,900 faculty and staff. The student to faculty ratio is 14 to 1.
- General Information
- Mercer University created a Diversity and Inclusion Committee which hosts DEI events. In addition, in 2021 the university created a Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council which began implementing diversity and inclusion training. Numerous student programs centered on DEI and anti-racism engage the campus community. See developments below:
Actions Taken
- Admissions Policies
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Mercer states that, "The School of Engineering is committed to developing a world-class engineering program that embraces, highlights, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that diversity and inclusiveness are vital in developing enriching learning experiences and educating engineers, technical communicators, and industrial management professionals to address the world’s most pressing challenges." The School of Engineering also supports the National Society of Black Engineers.
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- Curriculum Changes and Requirements
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Mercer's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences released a Statement on Anti-Racism stating, "We, members of the Mercer University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) faculty, condemn, in the strongest terms, the continuing racial violence and police brutality against black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) that is a daily occurrence in our nation. The most recent, barbaric killing of George Floyd at the hands of the police is only the latest instance of racially institutionalized violence we as a nation collectively bore witness to - but which happens daily, more often - uncaptured by a camera’s lens." The statement went on to explain that the college will host conversations on white privilege and microaggressions and "work to embed diversity, inclusivity, and anti-racist teaching in our classrooms."
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On January 7, 2021, Mercer announced that the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council will be "ensuring diversity in the curriculum."
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- Faculty/Staff Requirements
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In Summer 2020, Mercer's Diversity and Inclusion Committee held a "Faculty Workshop on Anti-Racism and Microaggressions."
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In Summer 2020, Mercer's College of Education held "Courageous Conversations," a series of conversations "which aimed to provide Pre K through 12 teachers with tools to engage their students and staff in discussions about racism."
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On January 7, 2021, Mercer announced that the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council will be "recruiting and retaining diverse faculty and staff."
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- Resources
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Mercer University has a Diversity and Inclusion Committee which offers answers to FAQ as well as resources on "race and prejudice." One such recommended reading includes "How to Be an Anti-Racist" by Ibram X. Kendi.
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Mercer announced on June 15, 2020 that its "Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Counseling and Psychological Services will be hosting a series of events on race and allyship through June 24." In addition, "The Office of Diversity and Inclusion have also compiled a list of books and articles from Mercer Library that all students will have access to."
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The Office of Diversity and Inclusion offers a Minority Mentor Program.
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Mercer hosts numerous multicultural groups.
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Mercer's Office of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives has a Facebook page.
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In addition, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives also has an Instagram account.
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Mercer has a website dedicated to offering research guides for diversity, inclusion, and equity.
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On January 7, 2021, Mercer announced that the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council will be "setting a five-year strategic plan."
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On September 27, 2021, Mercer's Social Justice Book Club held a panel discussion on critical race theory.
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Mercer has a Brown Bag Series, which are DEI training sessions hosted by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
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On October 22, 2020, Mercer hosted a CLAS Diversity and Inclusion workshop titled "Decolonize your Syllabi and Classroom".
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Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) has a "Taking Action: Anti-Racism" page where it links movie 13th, How to Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, and So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo.
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A student wrote an article titled "A Guide to Anti-Racism for Mercer Students" that was published on June 15, 2020 in the Macon Newsroom, Mercer's student newspaper.
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- Symbolic Actions
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Mercer announced on November 23, 2020 that the university joined a consortium known as Universities Studying Slavery, which calls upon universities to "seek to address the complicated legacies of slavery in the modern world and develop ways for institutions to commit school resources to addressing equity in the 21st century."
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Mercer's Family Therapy M.F.T. program released a Diversity Statement.
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On June 1, 2020, Mercer released a statement responding to the death of George Floyd.
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One of the 12 promises made by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee that represents faculty voices is that the faculty will "work to embed diversity, inclusivity, and anti-racist teaching in our classrooms."
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