Diversity Plan
The College’s diversity plan, Connecting Communities and Embracing Diversity: A Plan for Guilford College 2010-15, reflects the community’s desire for an institution characterized by substantive equality and other aspects of our vision of multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion.
Read the full text of the Diversity Plan.
The development process of the plan was a community-driven effort, with participation and input from all constituencies. Continued community involvement and participation will be key to ensure the visions of the plan become reality. The plan has specific goals, objectives, action steps, timelines and a budget. Progress will be tracked and monitored carefully with qualitative and quantitative measures.
Substantive equality focuses on the acceptance of many identities, desire for inclusive engagement, and assurance that entitlements, opportunities and access are fairly and justly distributed throughout an organization. It builds on cultural pluralism, defined as a condition of community in which numerous distinct ethnic, religious or cultural groups interact constructively. To achieve substantive equality, the Diversity Plan helps to determine how the College can increase the success of a diverse student body; monitor and assess its policies, practices, procedures and programs; and ensure that faculty, staff and other members of the College community are equipped with the knowledge, skills and capabilities to address systemic racism.
Accessibility Plan
We all have differences of some degree, and we are all unique in our learning styles, mental and emotional processes, and physical abilities. We are all enriched by our differing ways of existing in the world. Guilford College is strengthened as a community when we appreciate neurodiversity and diversity among our staff, faculty, and students. By understanding, acknowledging, and supporting different ways of being, learning, processing information, perceiving the world, and relating to others, we are strengthened as an educational and social community.
The Accessibility Plan focuses on breaking down barriers and fostering a culture of acceptance and support for differences and to develop attitudes that promote equality, mindfulness, inclusion, respect, and diversity.
The Accessibility Subcommittee of the Diversity Action Committee and Guilford community have developed a comprehensive plan entitled, Empathy, Equality, Access: Report, Vision, and Recommendations for Disability Resources, the Learning Commons, and the Counseling Center/Mental Health Services.
Read a summary of the Accessibility Plan here.
