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University of Toledo

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
2801 Bancroft St
Toledo, Ohio 43606
Phone
(800) 586-5336
School Information
The University of Toledo is one of 14 state universities in Ohio. We were established in 1872 and became a member of the state university system in 1967. The University of Toledo and the Medical University of Ohio merged July 2006 to form the third-largest public university operating budget in the state. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
General Information
The University of Toledo has undertaken dramatic efforts to improve its diversity, equity, and inclusion credibility. It released a “Diversity Plan” which outlines plans to increase minority enrollment and retention, use DEI tests to filter new faculty hires, develop racial training for faculty and coaches, embed equity into hiring, merit, and promotion, and equalize the playing field. These efforts are being conducted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion under the direction of Toledo’s Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. The University also provides wide-ranging resources to advance anti-racism, including promoting the 1619 Project and Ibram X. Kendi’s “How to be an Antiracist.” The Office of Diversity and Inclusion lists a host of definitions for race-based terminology. Altered definitions for racism and other words are embedded in this list. There is currently no evidence students are required to undergo racial diversity or critical race theory training, though it is clear the University of Toledo is overtly focused on advancing these ideas.

Actions Taken

Admissions Policies
  • Under Toledo's "Diversity Plan," it commits to "Increase the Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Students." It repeats this goal for faculty and goes further in striving to "increase faculty experience of inclusiveness, equity, and respect." To this end, Toledo plans to "Develop Inclusive Excellence Certification training online."
  • UT's 2020-2023 Strategic Plan for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Goal 1 states, "Increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students (i.e. URM [Underrepresented Minority] and low-income students)."
Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • Under the "Diversity Plan," Toledo will "Create Inclusive Excellence Ambassadors workshops to develop additional training." This training is intended for faculty and staff.
  • Under the "Diversity Plan," Toledo will "Train student success coaches and academic advisors on best practices regarding assisting under-represented minority students." "Training materials address culturally competent practice."
  • One of the strategies of UT's 2020-2023 Strategic Plan for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity is to "[c]reate Dean Training on how to recruit and retain underrepresented minority faculty and staff."
  • The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion provides "cultural competency dialogues" which "allow UToledo employees and other vested individuals an opportunity to increase their awareness and understanding of cross-cultural connections" by sharing in "constructive dialogue about differences and similarities between our cultures, beliefs and views."
  • The Office of Multicultural Student Success offers diversity workshops for students in which "students will be given the opportunity to explore any stereotypes or biases they hold, engage in conversations about how stereotypes and biases can impact experiences, and how to effectively address microaggressions." Students can also obtain a "Diversity Workshop Certificate" by participating in selected workshops.
Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • One of the strategies of UT's 2020-2023 Strategic Plan for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity states, "Work with First Year Experience course instructors to include diversity and inclusivity relevant pedagogy and content into courses."
Political Actions and Support for Anti-Racism
  • UT's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion states the following: "Our students advocate for social justice. They have organized peaceful protests, contributed to feminine hygiene product drives and sponsored kneel-ins in support of Black Lives Matter."
  • UToledo's "Confronting Racism" webpage states the following: "Following a historic election, the nation now looks to unite as it confronts systemic racism fueled by racial injustice and police brutality. UToledo students are advocating for social justice by organizing kneel-ins in support of White Coats for Black Lives and peaceful protests."
Program and Research Funding
  • In 2021, the Department of Psychology offered a "research grant [$500] for undergraduate minority/underrepresented students."  
  • The Center for Racial Equity and Black Student Excellence "develop programs to increase the number of historically underserved University of Toledo graduates." Additionally, the center's 2024 Belonging Excellence Program is a "five-day early arrival program" which is "designed to help students succeed in their transition from high school to college."
Resources
  • Under the "Diversity Plan," Toledo plans to "Coordinate with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to ensure all faculty/administrative hires and applicants for leadership programs in the Office of the Provost are reviewed by the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion."
  • Under the "Diversity Plan," Toledo will "Embed retention and equity work in faculty and staff hiring, merit and promotion."
  • Toledo offers a "Strategic Plan for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity." Under the equity category, Toledo writes that "the practice of equity equalizes the playing field."
  • Toledo appointed a Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity. The Vice President's "Diversity Plan" is linked here:
  • Toledo provides an "Equity Toolkit" which "is a collection of resources for faculty and staff." "These resources will give you the information you need to better understand UToledo's dedication to anti-racism and demonstrate the opportunities for growth and change that surround our diverse and inclusive institution." The resources include articles, podcasts, videos and films, books, and more. These resources extend to "The 1619 Project," "Mom, Why Don't You have Any Black Friends," "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack," "White Fragility," "How to Be an Antiracist," and much more.
  • Toledo's "Office of Diversity and Inclusion" provides a "Racial Lexicon" to define race-related terms. It defines "Anti-Racism" as "The work of actively opposing racism by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life." It defines "Racism" as "involving one group having the power to carry out systematic discrimination through the institutional policies and practices of the society and by shaping the cultural beliefs and values that support those racist policies and practices."
  • The University Libraries Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee is sponsoring the "Anti-Racist Pedagogy Lecture Series," which includes lectures on “Pedagogy of Reflective Inquiry: Racial Inequity, Racist Policy and Anti-Racist Teaching” and “Crap, My Curriculum is Racist! What Do I Do?”
  • As part of the "Dialogues on Diversity series, UToledo held the "Critical Race Theory, Explained” lecture.
  • UToledo celebrated "Diversity Month" by hosting numerous events in April 2022.
Last updated July 9th, 2024
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