2003 Compiled Master Plan Policies
Chapter 2 The Illinois Commitment
C. FACULTY DIVERSITY
The Illinois Board of Higher Education recognizes that student and faculty diversity enhances the education of all students and offers direct and indirect public benefits to our state and nation. Diverse learning environments positively affect students’ critical thinking skills, their civic commitment, and preparation for work in a global economy, among other benefits. The Illinois Board of Higher Education and its public colleges and universities are committed to making the utmost efforts, and using all legal means, to advance diversity in higher education.
Public community colleges and universities should incorporate into their education mission and/or strategic plan a statement(s) that recognizes the educational importance of achieving diversity among students and faculty.
The Preparation and Development of a Diverse Faculty in Illinois
Illinois colleges and universities should encourage and inform underrepresented students about a career as a faculty member and should encourage and inform underrepresented graduate students about faculty opportunities and openings at Illinois two-year and four-year institutions.
The Illinois Board of Higher Education will work with Illinois colleges and universities to facilitate and support efforts to encourage and inform underrepresented students about a career as a faculty member and to encourage and inform underrepresented graduate students about faculty opportunities and openings at Illinois two-year and four-year institutions. The Illinois Board of Higher Education will assist staff at Illinois colleges and universities to identify strategies and practices that are effective in achieving these objectives, as well as to identify underrepresented students eligible for faculty positions.
Illinois colleges and universities should identify and professionally develop interested and appropriately-trained, underrepresented nontenure-track faculty for tenure-track positions and faculty careers. The Illinois Board of Higher Education will establish a statewide initiative that supports these institutional efforts.
The Illinois Board of Higher Education will establish a council to provide advice on effective practices, policies, and programs for increasing the number of underrepresented faculty at Illinois colleges and universities.
The Illinois Consortium for Educational Opportunities Program/ Illinois Minority Graduate Incentive Program
The Illinois Board of Higher Education will seek statutory authority to combine the Illinois Consortium for Educational Opportunities Program with the Illinois Minority Graduate Incentive Program. The Illinois Board of Higher Education will appoint the Board for the new combined program, which will be composed of 15 members who have been successful in increasing faculty diversity on their own campuses and in Illinois higher education. Participating institutions that have demonstrated a proven commitment to faculty diversity will be given
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