President’s Diversity Council Mission Statement

NDSU is committed to diversity and pluralism grounded in visions of justice and a belief in the transforming power of education. Our commitment acknowledges a history of prejudice, discrimination, and exclusion in our society. We recognize that institutional and social changes necessitate intentional efforts to include all voices. We strive to provide a climate where there is an open and free exchange of ideas rooted in civility and a respect for the contributions of all those in our community.

Definition of Diversity

Diversity encompasses the many different aspects that comprise our identity and contribute to our value and creativity as people. For the purposes of its work, the NDSU Diversity Council will focus primarily on those dimensions of diversity that have significant impact on individuals and groups in society: age, ethnicity, gender, mental and physical abilities, race, religion, and sexual orientation.

http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/diversity/

PURPOSE:

The mission of the President’s Diversity Council is, in part, to address a history of prejudice, discrimination, and exclusion in our society. The council strives to provide a climate where there is an open and free exchange of ideas rooted in civility and a respect for the contributions of all those in our community.

To attain its goal, the council seeks opportunities to advance its mission by providing appropriate support including endorsement or joint sponsorship of campus events that further the mission.

Endorsed events receive non-financial support from the Diversity Council including publicity on the Diversity Council’s website and other forms of assistance as appropriate. To request Diversity Council endorsement for a program or event, e-mail appropriate information about the program/event to ndsu.diversity@ndsu.edu well in advance of the program/event.

Sponsored events also receive funding for up to half of the cost of an event (maximum of $1000) in accordance with available funds and the guidelines described below.

WHO MAY PROPOSE?

Proposals for joint sponsorship may be submitted from individuals or groups associated with North Dakota State University and community partners.

Events should primarily originate from and be intended for NDSU staff, faculty and students. If the event is to include a speaker, or multiple speakers, from outside NDSU, every effort should be made by the sponsoring departments and organizations to offer NDSU students, faculty, and staff broad opportunities to meet with the guest lecturer(s).

HOW MUCH MAY BE REQUESTED?

The Diversity Council will provide up to half of the cost of an event with a maximum of $1000.00 per event.

PROPOSER’S RESPONSIBILITIES & FUNDING CRITERIA:

Each person or group requesting Diversity Council endorsement or sponsorship must make a good faith effort to ensure that the program objectives and action steps, as described in the program proposal, are carried out. A liaison to the President’s Diversity Council will be available to assist as needed. In addition:

• The proposal must clearly state how the event is tied to the Strategic Plan for Diversity Equity and Community set forth by the President's Diversity Council. The Strategic Plan for Diversity Equity and Community may be found online at http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/diversity/documents.php
• Support will be given only to events that are university-wide and open to the public.
• When requesting sponsorship for a speaker, a brief biographical summary outlining the speaker’s credentials and experience on the said subject must be documented within the proposal.
• Support from the President’s Diversity Council must be publicized by the event’s organizer(s).

Priority will be given to:

• events that are free to the public and to NDSU students, faculty, and staff.
• events that have multiple financial sponsors.
• new and emerging programs and events.

All requests should be submitted on the electronic application (see below). One copy of the form should also be printed, initialed by an authorized person in the departments that are funding the event, and sent by campus mail to the Office for Equity and Diversity, 202 Old Main

WHAT TYPES OF PROGRAMS ARE ELIGIBLE:

Only programs that are specifically tied to the Strategic Plan for Diversity Equity and Community will be considered. Events with sensitive topics will not be excluded from consideration on the basis of being controversial.

WHEN TO PROPOSE:

Proposals will be accepted year round and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Approval for proposals takes approximately 2-4 weeks. Proposals received less than four weeks before an event will not be considered for funding.

PROGRAM PROPOSAL REVIEW PROCESS:

All program proposals will be considered by a Selection Committee (a sub-committee of the President’s Diversity Council). The contact person for the event will be notified about the funding decision within two weeks of submission of the proposal.

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP:

You may submit your questions about the process to ndsu.diversity@ndsu.edu. Please refer to the Proposer's Responsibilities and Funding Criteria above for detailed information about how to present your program proposal to the Selection Committee.

Click here to fill out the online application form.