West Virginia University

Following the Supreme Court decision on Affirmative Action in College Admissions, the University its "commitment to diversity remains unchanged although the legal landscape governing college admissions is shifting."

The "working group addressing the development of a culturally aware and inclusive campus environment" is considering anti-racism education.

The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a variety of trainings, such as the DEI Classroom series, in addition to resources for students and faculty from various authors including Ibram X. Kendi.

The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosts an ongoing series on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Classroom. Training includes discussions on "Implicit Bias," "Inclusive Language & Microaggressions," and "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Research" among others.

A "microaggression training" was developed for "the New Student Orientation staff." The training was created by student Kassandra Colón, "who identifies as Puerto Rican and Mexican" because WVU "is predominately white, and I needed to find the best way to survive and thrive in my practices."

Student Diversity Ambassadors are designated each year to "assist in the creating, planning, and implementation of Diversity Week." The ambassadors also "create their own diversity and inclusion theme events and train fellow students on a variety of diversity topics and issues."

Several WVU students "led a training initiative" through the "LGBTQ+ Center to raise awareness of the intersections of race, color, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity." The continued trainings "cover the history of racism and systemic discrimination; LGBTQ+ history and lessons from the civil rights movement; complexity of identity based on race/ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity; strategies for developing a cross-racial dialogue; and resources for intervening in bias, harassment and discrimination."

The ADVANCE Change Agent course is for selected academic faculty and staff "to be leaders who can ignite change at the department/unit and institutional levels." The course aims to help participants "identify, analyze and address patterns of inequity" and "help create an inclusive culture."

As part of the Bachelor’s degree requirements, all students are required to take 3 credits of Global Studies and Diversity.

One of the working groups is focusing on "addressing campus and community partnerships." "Action items may include reviewing student and employee codes of conduct, policies on racially insensitive symbols or language, and community programming."

The Inclusive Hiring Initiative provides a "90-minute virtual work session" for faculty and departments responsible for hiring to help create "more inclusive spaces."

A Diversity Scholarship is available to "exceptional and talented students who have been traditionally underrepresented on college campuses, and who are culturally, ethnically, or racially diverse." Eligible students include "students of color," "low-income students," "first-generation students," and "nontraditional students."

The University offers several scholarships to Black students such as the Katherine Johnson Scholarship for "African American students studying math or science" and the "Scott D. Widmeyer African American and First-Generation Scholarships" which benefits those students studying journalism.

Police reform is being pursued by one of the working groups: "Action items may include trainings, policies and partnerships with other police departments".

The Public Safety Advisory Committee works with the University Police Department "to create a more inclusive and equitable place to learn, work and live." The Committee seeks to "ensure proper representation" and also reviews "policies, procedures, trainings, and material" to create "safe, diverse, and inclusive strategies" for the Police Department.

The School of Social Work established a Committee on Anti-racism, Equity, and Justice to ensure the School maintains "an ongoing commitment to anti-racism, equity, and justice." It seeks to "consult and collaborate" and "identify and share curricular resources" with faculty and students to facilitate conversations and education "on anti-racism, white privilege, equity, and justice."

A “How to Be an Antiracist" course is offered for Health Sciences Majors. The class will help students "understand the history of colorism, biological racism, cultural racism, body racism, gender, and sexuality racism." There are five sections of the class.

University president announced the creation of "action-oriented working groups to make recommendations on how this University can improve and then focus on implementation."

On February 15 and 22, 2022, the university held a two-day anti-racism event titled, “A Long Talk About the Uncomfortable Truth” to discuss the “duration, violence, and intentionality of oppression in America.”

The university holds a separate Multicultural Graduation Celebration to “intentionally highlight and honor culture and celebrate diversity” for only multicultural students at WVU. Multicultural students will also “receive a cultural stole to wear over their graduation robe during the official commencement ceremonies.”

The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion “is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture by promoting diversity, inclusion, equality, and intercultural and inter community outreach” through its diversity initiatives.

The University offers an annual Diversity Week which "promotes the celebration, education and understanding of different identities and experiences on [the] campuses." 

The University offers an annual "Multicultural Graduation Celebration ceremony" that "intentionally highlights and honors culture and celebrates diversity."