Inclusive Excellence Framework
Vision
SJSU aspires to be a place that produces curricular and co-curricular experiences in a holistic learning environment which contributes to transformation (individual and collective). It endeavors to connect and work with our diverse community of staff, faculty, students and alumni. We are reflective of the idea of cultural humility and lifelong learning through mutually constituted knowledge and understanding centering on the student experience, and experiences which reverberate across time and generations of students. We strive to create inclusive and empowering spaces.
Mission
Our mission is to enrich the lives of students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community stakeholders. It prioritizes avenues for mutual learning and exchange of knowledge. It promotes skill building opportunities to apply in the service of our diverse democratic society, and to expand the base of knowledge through research, scholarship and service. SJSU aspires to be a place for holistic learning where all members of our community are respected and contribute to transformational educational experiences for students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community stakeholders. We leverage the knowledge of our diverse community to create equitable structures, policies, and processes that further inclusive excellence.
Values
Belonging
Belonging is how we make people feel. We affirm our values when we cultivate connections and promote a sense of belonging. While someone may be included, they also need to feel valued, wanted and accepted. It is a feeling of connection and community where no one feels singled out in a hostile manner.
Compassion
Compassion is how we act in response to the suffering of others. Knowing that each and every SJSU community member deserves to be treated and served from a place beyond empathy and caring.
Diversity
Diversity is our reality. We value the presence of different people, identity, culture, ideas and abilities. We know that diversity makes us think with more complexity, consider the perspectives and experiences of others, and propels us to action in our communities to make them better.
Equity
Equity is our goal. We wish to create an environment that allows our students, staff, faculty and community to be able to achieve success at SJSU. We value an environment where everyone can reach their goals without the individual, cultural, institutional and structural barriers related to social inequality.
Empowerment
Inspire the campus community to take action through direct efforts of social, educational, economic, political and psychological spaces. Give the campus community confidence and support to take action and voice perspectives to create change.
Inclusion
Inclusion is our practice. We value the process, and the actions we take to carve out space and include all voices at the table. We strive to use language that does not replicate trauma. We value the creation of policy that does not put up barriers to success. We value instruction that allows everyone to be engaged. We value standing up against injustice in all circumstances.
Integrity
Integrity is our moral code. We strive to act in a way that is appreciative, respectful, honest and equal. Appreciation of our diversity is unquestioned by actions that show how much we appreciate the diversity that we have. We value ethical behavior and decisions that uphold rules that are in place to protect our community.
Respect
Respect is our regard for humanity. It is appreciating and being committed to
learning and understanding the contributions of all people. At its core, respect is
treating all of our SJSU community with kindness and integrity, free from intimidation,
coercion, or bullying. We understand that respect means different things to different
people and we approach learning the differences with humility.
Empowerment
Inspire the campus community to take action through direct efforts of social, educational, economic, political and psychological spaces. Give the campus community confidence and support to take action and voice perspectives to create change.
Defining Inclusive Excellence
Inclusive Excellence re-envisions both quality and diversity. It reflects a striving for excellence in higher education that has been made more inclusive by decades of work to infuse diversity into recruiting, admissions, and hiring; into the curriculum and curriculum, and into administrative structures and practices (AAC&U [pdf]). Inclusive Excellence means an organization has adopted means for the cohesive, coherent, and collaborative integration of diversity, inclusion, and equity into the organizational pursuit of excellence (William and Mary).
Access & Success
Striving for equity of access and outcomes for all students and employees across diverse backgrounds, with a particular focus on reducing and then eliminating equity gaps for marginalized populations
Climate & Intergroup Relations
Aspiring to be a positive and collaborative community that creates and sustains climate and culture that are equitable and inclusive and that supports opportunities to thrive
Education & Scholarship
Interrogating the ways in which curriculum, teaching, research, scholarship, and student and employee development contribute to our passion for discovery, innovation, community engagement, service, and social justice
Infrastructure & Investment
Utilizing an organizational structure that facilitates the coherent implementation of institutional diversity, equity and inclusion strategic goals and enacts policies and practices that sustain inclusivity, equity, and innovation
Community & Partnership
As a place-based organization, engaging reciprocally and in a participatory way to co-lead progress for equity and engagement with our surrounding neighborhoods, counties, and the state
updated 4 September 2024
