The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Achievement (DEIA) Advisory Council is conducting a listening tour to gather information on efforts throughout the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support. 
 
Council members, who are focusing their initial work on a few primary areas, are meeting with the leadership of each of the division’s major units over the next two weeks. They’ll ask questions related to departmental culture, DEIA programs and initiatives and the role DEIA plays in recruiting and onboarding new employees. The council is also looking at the trainings offered for employees and leadership actions that represent a commitment to DEIA. 
 
By conducting these meetings, the council hopes to identify the best practices and promising practices that currently exist within a few units that could be expanded across the division. 
 
“We anticipate creating some standards around DEIA as our first step,” says Kirsten Kennedy, council co-chair and associate vice president for housing and sustainability. “For example, University Housing created a ‘Diverse Aware Hiring Guide’ that could be adapted for other units. Student Life created a standard objective in their EPMS documents on DEIA expectations.” 
 
The first report detailing the council’s findings will be ready around mid-May.