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The University of Texas at Arlington

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
701 S. Nedderman Drive
Arlington, Texas 76019
Phone
(817) 272-2090
School Information
"Founded in 1895, The University of Texas at Arlington is a Carnegie Research 1 institution with more than 100 years of academic excellence and tradition. As the largest university in North Texas and second largest in The University of Texas System, UTA is located in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth, challenging our students to engage with the world around them in ways that make a measurable impact. UTA offers state-of-the-art facilities that encourage students to be critical thinkers. Through academic, internship, and research programs, our students receive real-world experiences that help them contribute to their community and, ultimately, the world. We have more than 180 baccalaureate, masters', and doctoral degree programs, and more than 60,000 students walking our campus or engaging in online coursework each year" (Source: https://www.uta.edu/about). The student to faculty ratio is 24 to 1.
General Information
UTA has engaged in numerous DEI initiatives. This includes scholarships for diverse students, diversity and inclusion training for faculty and staff, and curriculum changes. UTA PD will also receive diversity and bias training. See developments below:

Actions Taken

Admissions Policies
  • UTA's College of Engineering 2022 Diversity Plan states that it would "[i]mprove the mix of undergraduate students with diverse backgrounds by focusing COE recruitment efforts across the United States in locations with higher populations of diverse K-12 students."
Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • UTA announced that, "The Office of Human Resources is implementing Diversity and Inclusion training for all faculty and staff. Employee training will include: Implicit Bias, Microaggressions, Upstander to Bystander, Cultural Competence, Creating Welcoming Diverse Environments, and Cultural Conflicts." This commitment was intended to be effective by Fall 2021.
  • UTA announced that its Office of DEI launched a Diversity Certificate Program for all faculty and staff. This is not a mandatory program, however it is encouraged.
  • UTA hosts a Social Justice Peer Educator Program.
  • The School of Social Work held an "Eliminate Racism" webinar series.
Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • The university announced, "The University is immediately incorporating curriculum focused on identity, privilege, bias and oppression that will be delivered to new students for the Fall 2020 semester. A task force has been formed with membership from across the University, to further develop curriculum focused on social justice and equity, that will be delivered to all new students.This enhanced curriculum will be launched in the Spring 2021 semester and will be regularly reviewed and improved for future semesters."
Faculty/Staff Requirements
  • The university announced, "A University-wide talent management plan is being developed to enhance the recruiting, retention, and promotion of underrepresented faculty and staff." This commitment was intended to be effective by Fall 2021.
Program and Research Funding
  • The College of Business has a Diversity, Racial Equity, and Inclusion Scholars program.
  • The university has announced that it has "designated an additional $25 million in scholarships to address student diversity and especially the financial concerns of first-generation college students." This commitment was intended to be effective by Fall 2021.
  • The UTA library announced a Plan of Action for DEI, including a "pledge of a minimum of an additional $150,000 invested over the next five years to increase diverse collections and programs at UTA Libraries, with at least 50% of those funds being committed to content by Black authors." The library will also work on recruitment and retention with regards to hiring practices.
  • The UTA 2023-2024 University Catalog includes a description of the Diversity Studies minor which is offered through the School of Social Work and is described as follows: "The Diversity Studies Minor is designed to strengthen students’ understanding of the interactions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, social and economic inequality, disability, aging and religion in defining identity and social relationships...The goal of the minor is to arm students with knowledge, skills, and perspectives essential to civic participation, career development and promoting a just society."
  • UTA's College of Business Diversity Scholars "possess research expertise in diversity (such as race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, and family) as it relates to discrimination, social issues, bias, leadership, inclusion, human resource management, and additional areas of organizational interest."
Re-Imagining Policing
  • UTA announced, "The UTA Police Department is reviewing departmental policies to ensure they are aligned with the core values of our University, and free from unfairness and bias. In addition to regularly planned ongoing training, UTA police officers will receive additional advanced training in diversity, racial profiling, as well as implicit bias and explicit bias during the upcoming fall and spring semesters."
Resources
  • On March 23, 2021, the university announced that it has "made our selection for UTA’s inaugural Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, successfully fulfilling the cornerstone goal of our eight key initiatives in this area."
  • The university announced, "Interim President Lim has formed a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee co-chaired by Debra Woody and Michele Bobadilla, which includes diverse representation from student government, as well as faculty and staff from schools, colleges and divisions across campus." This commitment was intended to be effective by Fall 2021.
  • Effective by the Fall 2021 semester, UTA announced, "The Office of Multicultural Affairs is in the process of filling a staff position that is focused on providing opportunities to expand the Maverick Advantage program and support services for our diverse population of students. We are committed to expanding further programming and are creating a plan to add additional resources as we further our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives."
  • The university and its various departments have released numerous statements on George Floyd and the trial verdict, including a presidential statement on June 2, 2020.
  • The UTA 2023-2024 University Catalog includes a description of the Diversity Studies Certificate Program which is offered through the School of Social Work and is described as follows: "The Diversity Studies Certificate Program (DCP) is an interdisciplinary certificate that provides undergraduate students the opportunity to gain specialized knowledge, values, and skills in racial and ethnic relations, gender and sexuality, and social and economic inequality, to advance themselves as successful employees and leaders in our global world." 
  • Dr. Frederick V. Engram Jr., Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Criminology/Criminal Justice and the Center for African American Studies, focuses his research "on the way that racism, white supremacy, white manning, and white privilege display themselves in power structures and how they oppress African Americans."
Symbolic Actions
  • UTA was named the inaugural Racial Justice and Equity Program Award Winner.
  • The School of Social Work has elected an inaugural DEI director.
Last updated March 6th, 2024
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