CU-Boulder's Vision for a Diverse Campus Climate

At the University of Colorado at Boulder, we aspire to be a place where the quality of education is enhanced and enriched by a diverse campus community — where all students benefit from multicultural experiences. In this place, we envision a campus that acknowledges and addresses the special needs of groups and individuals who historically have faced institutional barriers. We envision a place where the pervasive respect for diversity has created a supportive climate in which students are able to reach their academic potential and the entire campus benefits from participation in a multicultural community.

Diversity supports EXCELLENCE.

In our changing and shrinking world, the understanding of the multiple dimensions of diversity is critical and has significant social, economic and intellectual benefits. The University of Colorado at Boulder provides many opportunities to achieve understanding and excellence through diversity. We invite you to accept the challenge, and embrace the journey.

Diversity is MULTIDIMENSIONAL and learning about diversity is a DYNAMIC PROCESS.

Learning about, understanding and supporting Diversity includes some of the following:

Increasing self-awareness	Unlearning stereotypes
Valuing one's cultural heritage	Being thoughtful
Identifying and responding to racism	Learning limitations
Understanding power and oppression	Expanding knowledge
Taking action	Supporting dialogue
Feeling hurt	Respecting and valuing differences

Diversity includes concepts reflected in these additional words. These are terms you will need to know or that you will encounter as you learn more about yourself as a member of a group(s), community, and society. Some of these dimensions will be more significant to you than others, and you may know of additional terms.

Trust	Group rights	Values	Validation	Sexism
Freedom	Hostility	Anger	Acceptance	Interpersonal
Self-censoring	Responsibility	Prejudice	Rejection	Inequality
Reflection History	Consequence	Bias	Tolerance	Beliefs
Social Justice	Privilege	Heterosexism	Slurs	Change
Curriculum	Ageism	Social class	Language	Aggression
Individual rights	Equity	Ethnicity	Perceptions	Appreciation
Racism	Similarities	Difference	Confrontation	Resolution

Diversity is an INTEGRAL part of life and learning.

Diversity is an area of life that engages and challenges us daily. We are always meeting people who are different from ourselves, encountering ideas and information that make us question and rethink our prior knowledge, confronting our privilege in relation to others, and facing changes in the world around us. In the process we come to understand that each of us (and the groups to which we belong), has a CULTURE that shapes our worldview. Our culture reflects closely held beliefs and values.

We also begin to understand the power of groups and how that power affects the ways a community does or does not support differences. Affirmative action is certainly a diversity issue but by no means the only one. In learning about diversity we come to understand that our beliefs and values are not always shared by those around us, and theirs may not only be unfamiliar to us, but uncomfortable as well. Learning about diversity and working toward developing an inclusive perspective does not always feel good. As well as being important and rewarding, it can be challenging and threatening, especially when we learn new pieces of information.

Engaging in diversity issues occurs at FOUR LEVELS OF INTERACTION.

Opportunities to be involved in learning about and making a difference with regard to diversity on campus will arise in four different aspects of the educational experience.

• As INDIVIDUALS, understanding our own values, beliefs, biases, and prejudices.
• As members of GROUPS and COMMUNITIES, where our values, beliefs, biases, and prejudices interact with those of the people around us.
• As representatives of the UNIVERSITY, demonstrating the new knowledge and understanding we are acquiring about the world around us.
• And within our SOCIETY, as citizens of our nation, with the responsibility of helping to shape its direction.

Diversity is important for EVERYONE.

All groups and individuals within groups benefit from understanding and affirming diversity. As you progress on your journey, ask, explore, investigate, engage, and experience the multiple dimensions of diversity you will encounter at CU-Boulder.