Inclusive Campus Culture
Inclusive Excellence embraces a multicultural campus and fosters inclusive habits. The following initiatives sponsored by the Provost promote a campus environment that is welcoming for all and free of bias.
DEI Advocates
Academic Affairs partnered with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to create roles for and bring together DEI Advocates in TCU’s schools, colleges and divisions to develop, promote and chart inclusive excellence throughout TCU. DEI Advocates assist in fostering diversity and cultivating an inclusive learning and work environment. They focus on hiring and promotion efforts, recruitment and retention of faculty, staff and students, and serve as a resource and consultant to the dean, associate deans, chairs and directors on inclusive excellence issues. The Provost appointed a Provost’s Faculty Fellow and Academic Affairs DEI Advocate to do the same for Academic Affairs.
Inclusive Excellence Speaker Series
Each year, Academic Affairs and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion bring prominent speakers to campus for the Inclusive Excellence Speaker Series, Faculty, staff and students engage with national experts who share examples of how everyone can contribute to a more inclusive community. Topics have covered “Creating a Culture of Inclusive Excellence for Students with Disabilities,” “Achieving Cultural Change through Innovation,” “Using Data to Make Systemic Change within DEI,” and “Promoting Equity through Inclusive Teaching Practices.”
Race and Reconciliation Initiative
Provost Dahlberg launched TCU’s Race and Reconciliation Initiative in 2020 to study the university’s historical connections to racism, slavery and the Confederacy, providing a critical understanding of TCU’s history while creating a foundation to make TCU a stronger institution for the future. In 2022, the Race and Reconciliation Initiative was institutionalized under the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to continue to progress the five-year program.
Native American and Indigenous Peoples at TCU
Provost Dahlberg appointed Dr. Scott Langston as the inaugural Native American Nations and Communities Liaison, to collaborate with the Native American Advisory Circle regarding positive ways to respect, support and incorporate Native Americans at TCU. Dr. Langston led the coordination of several TCU initiatives to raise awareness of and respect for Native American peoples, cultures and perspectives; to learn from Native American knowledge; and to create a welcoming environment on campus for Native American students, faculty, staff and visitors. In 2022, Native American and Indigenous Peoples at TCU was institutionalized under the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Beginning Fall 2020, the Provost partnered with the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life to create the TCU Policy for Religious Observation and Holidays. Students who are unable to participate in a class, assignment or university-required activity because of the religious observance of a holy day shall be provided with a reasonable opportunity to make up the examination or assignment, without penalty, provided that it does not create an unreasonable burden on the University.