T
he University of Kentucky is committed to
creating a diverse, multicultural community of scholars and learners. To
advance this commitment we must move forward with specific actions that demonstrate
our belief in the value and richness of human differences. We must provide
a model for the Commonwealth of a truly diverse society that celebrates human
differences, promotes fairness and equity in policies and practices, and
upholds basic principles of social justice. To become one of the nation's
best research universities, we must foster a creative, supportive environment
that will nurture diversity of thought, culture, gender and ethnicity.
Objectives:
- The University will improve the climate for diversity. Programs
designed to create a diverse community in which all individuals and groups
can thrive, both personally and professionally, are necessary to build
upon recruitment and hiring successes. We must create an inclusive living
and learning environment for faculty, staff and students through leadership
training, professional development, and mentoring programs that promote
sensitivity and respect for the full range of human diversity.
- The University will create a diverse workplace
and learning community. A
nationally prominent research university demonstrates a commitment to
diversity and equity by following practices that protect and advance
the interests of all its members. We must increase awareness of our diversity
and equity aspirations, address equitable compensation issues, establish
unit goals in support of university-wide goals, and evaluate progress
at all levels. We must expect our leadership to demonstrate improvements,
and we must reward those who do.
- The University will cultivate the success of
diverse efforts in scholarly achievement and research. Excellence
and recognition of faculty from many disciplines, including those for
which extramural resources are scarce, are essential to fulfilling our
mission. We must foster leading scholarship throughout the University;
commemorate the accomplishments of faculty, staff and students; and communicate
their successes to the Commonwealth and beyond.
- The University will attract and enroll highly
qualified doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars. A reputation
for nationally acclaimed programs enhances the ability of top research
universities to recruit the finest students and postdoctoral scholars.
We must enroll greater numbers of such students, integrate these students
into research programs, and facilitate their roles as new investigators.
To sustain a cycle of increasing quality, productivity and recognition,
we must assist new investigators to become excellent research faculty
in institutions throughout the nation.
