The University of Wisconsin System Diversity Initiatives

The University of Wisconsin System believes that the educational benefits that flow from a diverse student body advance the core academic and governmental goals of improving all students’ intellectual growth, readiness for citizenship, and preparation for successful participation in and contribution to the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the State of Wisconsin.

To that end, the University of Wisconsin System Office of Academic Affairs is home to a variety of diversity initiatives, which work with students, faculty and staff at the fifteen higher education institutions that comprise the UW System. The Office of Academic Affairs is committed to integrating diversity into all facets of its work because of the value it places on excellence in education and work-life throughout the System. Excellence requires cognizance of the history, needs, constraints, and interests of all students and staff in order to attract and retain a diverse student body and workforce. Inclusivity of diverse people and ideas is necessary to ensure that the experience and climate are equitable and welcoming for all. These values guide the UW System’s work with its institutions and constituent groups to prepare students and enable employees to function successfully and participate meaningfully in the 21st- century global society.

The following initiatives and programs represent the University of Wisconsin’s commitment to, and work in diversity at the System level. Each of the individual institutions within the UW System have their own plans and sets of initiatives and programs to enhance diversity; these may be referenced by going to the institutional websites.

The Office of Academic Diversity and Development - http://www.uwsa.edu/oadd/

UW System Plan 2008: Educational Quality through Racial and Ethnic Diversity - http://www.uwsa.edu/oadd/plan/index.htm

Institute for Race and Ethnicity - http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/IRE/

Multicultural Center for Educational Excellence - http://www.uwsa.edu/oadd/mcee/index.htm

Inclusivity Initiative on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) People - http://www.uwsa.edu/acadaff/inclusivity/index.htm

Women's Studies Consortium - http://www.uwsa.edu/acadaff/womens/index.htm

Status of Women Initiative - http://www.uwsa.edu/acadaff/status/home.htm

Institute for Global Studies - http://www.uw-igs.org/

Disability Services - http://www.uwsa.edu/acadaff/cssd/index.htm