Murray State University

Murray State's Affirmative Action policy reads in part as follows: "The policy of Affirmative Action is an on-going commitment. The policy of affirmative action is limited, in that the achievement of its objective removes the necessity of its existence. Murray State University is committed to achieving the goals that have been established and published in the Murray State University Affirmative Action Plan. It should also be known that this Affirmative Action Plan is an official policy of Murray State University."

The Department of Journalism and Mass Communications states (as part of its "Guiding Principles" on diversity) that it "[r]ecruit[s] students from diverse, multicultural backgrounds."

Staff at the Career Center will "participate in trainings and offerings related to diversity."

In 2021, the ADVANCE Grant sponsored an anti-racism workshop.

The Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Access provides diversity training to students, faculty, and staff and seeks to enhance "awareness of and sensitivity toward diversity and inclusion, including work with institutional and wider community affinity groups."

Murray State University's Training Resource Center provides optional Cultural Diversity Training.

Due to the "reduced representation" of women and underrepresented minority faculty, the university states that there is a "need for implicit bias training for tenure and promotion committees as well as for search committees."

The Department of Journalism and Mass Communications outlines its "Equity, diversity, inclusion in teaching" plan and describes the basis for its DEI professional development as follows: "The plan recognizes that professional development and educational experience in DEI is not uniform among departmental faculty. Various degrees of privilege, racial and ethnic identity, national origin and cultural experiences provide different starting points for JMC faculty as they approach DEI. Discussions within the department further suggest that different faculty members have different Professional Development needs, regarding DEI."

As part of its "Commitment to Diversity," the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications states that it would"[d]evelop and offer an inclusive curriculum."

"The Murray University football team marched on campus...in support of the Black Lives Matter movement."

The university created the Leaders Engaging in Administrator Development Assistance Program which "has been designed to fulfill the need for underrepresented minorities (as defined in this Plan), teachers, and administrators by granting a waiver of in-state tuition to qualified teachers for one course per semester leading to licensure as an administrator or guidance counselor (preference given to African-American/Blacks and Hispanic-Americans)."

The Diversity Scholars Program at Murray State is "responsible for the development and implementation of programs, activities, and procedures designed to enhance the academic success, retention, and personal development of Marvin D. Mills Diversity Scholars." There are four levels of scholarships awarded including a full scholarship that covers tuition and campus housing.

The Kentucky Public Postsecondary Education Diversity Policy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Council on Postsecondary Education requires that Murray State University has a Diversity Plan. This plan involves a university commitment to "continue to participate in activities and training which promote an ongoing awareness of the changing climate of Student Affairs and the impact of diversity on the work."

MuSU plans "to expand information on the existing website to include diversity resources for students to use in their job search efforts."

Biennially, the Racial Legacies and Learning: Race and Ethnicity Symposium is held, which is open to the entire campus community.

MSU Library provides a variety of resources on "race and race issues" and features a picture of a large sign that reads, "Unlearn Racism."

The university has created a "Diversity Recruitment Resources Guide" which is a "reference tool for search committee chairs as they prepare their recruitment plans to advertise and attract a diverse pool of applicants."

Murray State offers a "Gender and Diversity" minor which includes courses titled "Social Inequality" and "Race and Ethnicity."

The Department of English and Philosophy released a statement of solidarity saying, "We share the anguish and anger of the millions who fill the streets to grieve the murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, and countless others."

The Office of Multicultural Initiatives offers Diversity Achievement Awards annually.