Upholding academic excellence is one of six priority areas in Pathways to Diversity and Inclusion action plan. The plan articulates that academic excellence in the context of diversity and inclusion means three things: (1) creating a learning environment in which students from all backgrounds can thrive in their chosen fields of study; (2) providing scholarly resources to support education and leading-edge research on issues of diversity, social justice, power, and privilege around the globe; and (3) sustaining the University’s long-standing commitment to the highest standards of research and teaching while leveraging scholarly resources to grow Brown’s national and global imprint as a standard-bearer of academic excellence.

The summary table below outlines the actions Brown has committed to for strengthening the broader learning environment. It identifies the responsible office(s) for implementation of the actions, and provides updates on the progress of each initiative by indicating whether they are ongoing (an action that is currently underway with no definitive completion date), in progress (an action that is currently underway with plans for completion at some point in the future), or completed (an action that has been fully executed).

Progress on Action Steps

Academic Excellence
Action Responsible Unit Progress
Expand the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America (CSREA) and the Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice (CSSJ)

Office of the Provost, Office of the Dean of the Faculty

 

CSREA has moved to a larger location at 96 Waterman Street. Fundraising efforts continue in order to develop additional resources for both CSREA and CSSJ.

Updated: Nov 30, 2016

CSREA moved to a larger location at 96 Waterman Street.  Fundraising efforts continue to develop additional resources for both CSREA and CSSJ.

Updated: Aug 30, 2016

This summer, the CSREA offices will relocate to Lippitt House, 96 Waterman Street.

Updated: Mar 16, 2016

CSREA and CSSJ have already been identified as fundraising priorities in theBrownTogethercomprehensive campaign, with the goal of raising $10 million for each center. CSREA will be relocated to a larger space within the next year.

Updated: Jan 31, 2016
Launch a Native American and Indigenous Peoples Initiative

Office of the Provost

A search and recruitment process for a senior faculty director will begin and continue through Spring 2017.  A lecture series of prominent scholars, partnering with other campus units on programming, and beginning to explore opportunities for collaboration with Native communities and institutions in the region, was also developed. 

Updated: Feb 27, 2017

The Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) Initiative Plan was developed and approved in Spring 2016. It is now being implemented by a new governing structure. A term-position program coordinator was hired and started his position in August 2016. He reports to the Brown Center for Students of Color.

Updated: Nov 30, 2016

The Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) Initiative Plan was developed and approved in Spring 2016. It is now being implemented by a new governing structure.  A term-position program coordinator was hired and started in August 2016, reporting to the Brown Center for Students of Color.

Updated: Aug 30, 2016

The Provost's office convened a planning committee in fall 2015 to coordinate the short-term and long-term efforts needed to launch the new Native American and Indigenous Peoples Initiative. The committee expects to have an initial set of proposals by the end of spring 2016.

Updated: Jan 31, 2016
Incorporate issues of race, ethnicity, racialization, immigration, and identity into the integrative themes

Academic leaders of the integrative themes 

Departmental DIAPs from academic departments have put forward new academic initiatives centered on scholarship related to diversity and inclusion.

Updated: Nov 30, 2016

Departmental DIAPs from academic departments have put forward new academic initiatives centered on scholarship related to diversity and inclusion.

Updated: Aug 30, 2016

Academic leaders of the integrative themes will submit diversification and inclusion plans by June 2016.

Updated: Jan 31, 2016
Assess hiring needs in light of teaching demands

Office of the Provost, Office of the Dean of the Faculty

Additional visiting and/or regular faculty positions have been provided to departments and programs with curricular growth.

Updated: Nov 30, 2016

Additional visiting and/or regular faculty positions have been provided to departments and programs with curricular growth.

Updated: Aug 30, 2016

During the spring 2016 budget process, Brown will support requests for faculty hiring in departments that demonstrate student growth.

Updated: Jan 31, 2016
Support efforts of other research centers to devote attention to race, ethnicity, and immigration

Office of the Provost, Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

Research centers have submitted DIAPs which articulate goals to enhance scholarship on race, ethnicity and immigration and diversity faculty and postdoctoral fellow cohorts.

Updated: Nov 30, 2016

Research centers have submitted DIAPs, which articulate goals to enhance scholarship on race, ethnicity and immigration and diversity faculty and postdoctoral fellow cohorts.

Updated: Aug 30, 2016
Create seed fund for programming on race and ethnicity

Office of the Provost, Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion has been supporting programming on race and ethnicity through seed funding

Updated: Mar 1, 2017

A funding mechanism will be available starting in Fall 2016 within the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.

Updated: Nov 30, 2016

A funding mechanism will be available starting in Fall 2016 within the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.

Updated: Aug 30, 2016

A funding mechanism will be established within the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion for programming on race and ethnicity.

Updated: Jan 31, 2016