- Mailing Address
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4000 Central Florida Blvd
Orlando, Florida 32816 - Phone
- (407) 823-2000
- Email address
- admission@ucf.edu
- Website
- https://www.ucf.edu/
- School Information
- "Founded in 1963 to provide talent for Central Florida and the growing U.S. space program, UCF has been making an impact on the state, the nation — and outer space — ever since. With 13 colleges and more than 230 degree programs, follow your passion at one of our campus locations designed to help you succeed." The university enrolls over 71,900 students, employs over 12,300 faculty & staff, and has over 230 degree programs. (Source: https://www.ucf.edu/about-ucf/)
- General Information
- UPDATE, MAY 2021: Prior to the 2020-21 academic year, UCF added a diversity requirement for all first time undergraduate degrees. UCF now offers a Bachelor's in Communications with a Social Innovation and Activism track, and a Graduate Certificate in Social Justice in Public Service. See below for details. Responding to national events, the University of Central Florida has taken multiple steps to commit to "equity, diversity and inclusive excellence." Initiatives include making "the position of chief equity, inclusion and diversity officer a vice president and, as such, a member of the president’s cabinet," creating a "President’s Executive Committee on equity, inclusion and diversity", making a "requirement that all units and colleges demonstrate their own commitment to inclusive excellence, through dedicated resources and training", and increasing "institutional resources and full-time staff who are dedicated to helping deliver on these promises." Additionally, the university opened and concluded an investigation into psychology professor Charles Negy around and after the time he released some controversial tweets, respectively. See developments below:
Actions Taken
- Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
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The university considered implementing a "requirement that all units and colleges demonstrate their own commitment to inclusive excellence, through dedicated resources and training."
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The university also pledged to "improve our search committee trainings and education" by adding implicit bias training.
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The university offers numerous Diversity and Inclusion Training programs.
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- Curriculum Changes and Requirements
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The University recognizes that communities are comprised of, and enriched by, people of diverse backgrounds. The study of diversity is encouraged to promote an understanding of the needs of individuals, the University, and society. Thus, all students completing their first bachelor’s degree from UCF must complete at least one course that explores the diverse backgrounds and characteristics found among humans, including: race/ethnicity, gender, social class/caste, religion, age, sexual orientation, and level of physical ability.
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The Human Communications undergraduate degree now includes a Social Innovation and Activism Track.
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To learn more about social justice, students may take the following classes: "Race Matters: Anthropological Approach to Racism," Community Policing," and "Social Power and Inequality."
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- Disciplinary Measures
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The university is "launching a comprehensive review of our reporting processes at UCF."
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The university has a "Just Knights Response Team" which will act "as a clearinghouse for any bias-related incidents that may occur on UCF campuses. In this role, the JKRT will receive, monitor, refer, and, as necessary, coordinate university resources to these incidents that impact the university community."
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The university launched an investigation into psychology professor Charles Negy around the time when student activists expressed anger at tweets Professor Negy made. The university asked students to submit information about "abusive or discriminatory behavior by any faculty or staff member". The university also announced it launched an inquiry into Professor Negy.
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"Through the use of three policies – the University’s discriminatory harassment policy, its computer use policy, and its Just Knights Response Team (JKRT), the school’s version of a bias response team – the University of Central Florida and its administrators have created a series of rules and regulations that restrain, deter, suppress, and punish speech about the political and social issues of the day."
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- Program and Research Funding
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The university committed to "increase our institutional resources and full-time staff who are dedicated to helping deliver on these promises." The university will "...deliberately invest in equity, inclusion and diversity as a pillar of excellence."
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Social Justice in Public Service Graduate Certificate.
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UCF is offering the "Anti-Racist Leadership Project."
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- Resources
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UCF Libraries provided a guide titled, "Diversity & Education: Ethnicity & Racial Resources."
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A "Critical Race Writing Group" started in the Spring Semester to "provide a collaborative space for scholars interested in the study of race, particularly from a critical race theory perspective. Specifically, this group will help graduate students develop their skills in academic article writing and review processes, with the goal of finalizing a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal."
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- Symbolic Actions
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The university made the "position of chief equity, inclusion and diversity officer a vice president and, as such, a member of the president’s cabinet."
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The university created the "President’s Executive Committee on equity, inclusion and diversity."
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UCF President Cartwright said last June, "What is needed now is action — a commitment from our university to not merely celebrate our diversity, but to be actively anti-racist... Systemic racism, sexism, homophobia and other hateful ideologies seek to deny our shared humanity. They must be called out and confronted. They do not reflect the values of our UCF community."
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UCF has been hosting several diversity events, including "The Development of Prejudice in Children" and "The Shades Between White & Black."
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