The Value of Diversity

Diversity, the variety that occurs in every aspect of humanity, involving both visible and invisible characteristics.

Diversity within Intercollegiate Athletics

As one of the most culturally diverse units on the UM campus, Intercollegiate Athletics places great value on the backgrounds and perspectives of all of our student-athletes. Meeting and competing with and against individuals from different races and cultures can be an extremely enriching experience. You are urged to embrace these opportunities as part of your overall educational experience. Being critical of people who are different cuts you off from all kinds of perspectives and people that can enhance the quality of your life.

Acts of discrimination or harassment will NOT be tolerated in Intercollegiate Athletics. Your responsibility to yourself lies in being true to yourself, in taking time to think through your reactions to other people. Your responsibility to others lies in treating people with tolerance and respect. Be a true leader and step forward to help free our campus of discrimination of all kinds!

Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Diversity Statement

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics fully embraces the UM Diversity Plan and the following campus diversity statement:

The University of Montana seeks to enhance diversity by recognizing and embracing the differences in age, ideas and perspectives, disabilities, creed, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, national origin, race, religious and spiritual beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, and the socioeconomic and geographic composition of its faculty, administrative professionals, staff, and students.

In its effort to enhance diversity, the University of Montana recognizes that particular focused effort must be placed on including members of groups who have historically been subject to discrimination and are still underrepresented in the campus community.

As one of the most culturally diverse units on the UM campus, Intercollegiate Athletics places great value on the backgrounds and perspectives of all of our student-athletes and employees. In its efforts to recruit, support, and promote diversity, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics: • Fosters an environment of respect for people of diverse backgrounds amongst its studentathletes and employees • Assures equitable opportunities for all student-athletes and employees while being proactive in recruiting minority student-athletes and employees • Enhances the understanding and sensitivity of IA members in working with various diverse groups within the department • Assures that student-athletes and employees are respected and have the opportunity to learn, work, and develop in an environment that is free from discrimination • Assures that the needs and issues affecting student-athletes from diverse backgrounds are addressed through University and departmental programming

Diversity Plan: University of Montana

The University of Montana respects, welcomes, encourages, and celebrates the differences among us. In recognition of this commitment, we value all members of the campus community, not in spite of, but because of their differences. A campus that expects, reflects, and respects diversity influences the way our students perceive the world. A diverse campus community enriches all of us with a greater understanding of the human condition and the challenges all people must confront in a rapidly changing, increasingly globalized, and ever more interdependent world society.

The full campus diversity plan can be found at: https://www.umt.edu/eo/equal-opportunity/diversity/diversityplan.php

Context Statement

The University of Montana understands that success as an excellent institution of higher education requires a culture that encourages and supports diversity. The University also recognizes that, as citizens in the global community, we must foster a greater understanding of cultures and perspectives different from our own. As a living document the Diversity Plan provides ongoing guidance to the University as it continues to embrace and enhance diversity in the student population; among faculty, staff, and administrators; in educational and cultural programming; and in every activity on campus.

The University first established an institutional diversity plan focused on cultural and ethnic diversity in 1991. Under its guidance, the campus made significant strides in cultural and ethnic diversity. Nonetheless, an even broader understanding of the construct will result in more benefits to the campus. To that end, President George M. Dennison established a Task Force in 2009 to propose revisions to the Diversity Plan. The revised Plan contains a broader definition of diversity and outlines specific strategies to achieve specific diversity goals throughout the University. Finally, the Plan includes metrics to assess the University’s progress in achieving the stated goals.

The Montana Creed – or Statement of Principles – articulates the commitment of the University of Montana to institutional integrity. The Creed encourages the campus community to reflect and commit to creating a culture of respect and integrity. The Montana Creed provides the foundation for the Strategic Directions of the University. The Diversity Plan implements the Montana Creed.

The Montana Creed: Statement of Principles

As members of the University of Montana community, we aspire to:

• Respect the dignity and rights of all persons. • Practice honesty, trustworthiness, and academic integrity. • Promote justice, learning, individual success, and service. • Act as good stewards of institutional resources. • Respect the natural environment.

Hazing and Harassment

The University of Montana will not tolerate hazing or harassment. Such incidents are serious violations of the Student Conduct Code. We hope you will help us stop hazing and harassing behavior at the University of Montana. Concerns about hazing and harassment may be reported to:

Sandy Curtis, sandra.curtis@umontana.edu- Director UM Housing

Alicia Arant, Alicia.arant@umontana.edu- Director Equal Opportunity/Title IX Coordinator

Sarah Swager, sarah.swager@mso.umt.edu- Vice Provost for Student Success

Brian Reed, brian.reed@umontana.edu- Associate Vice Provost for Student Success

Campus Minority Mentoring Program (African-American students)

Resources

UM Diversity: http://www.umt.edu/eo/diversity/default.php

UM Diversity Plan: http://umt.edu/eo/diversity/diversityplan.aspx

UM Equal Opportunity/Title IX Coordinator: http://umt.edu/eo/

DiverseU: http://www.umt.edu/diverseu/

UM Diversity Advisory Council: http://www.umt.edu/committees/diversity.aspx

United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html