Following the report, groups have been assembled to address objectives for students, staff and faculty at the university.

Students

Led by Dean of Students Jeff Zeilenga and a committee of students nominated by the Missouri Students Association (MSA) and Graduate Professional Council (GPC). Objectives and status:

  • Establish a central student programming board to strengthen programming and measure outcomes. Ideally it could encompass both undergraduate and graduate/professional students. [Student Affairs, MSA, GPC]
    • Status: Completed. The newly formed Campus Activities Programming Board has been created. The Board will consist of six subcommittees, to be staffed by students. These committees include: Large Campus programming; Unions programming; Late Night programming; Mizzou Spirit; Welcome programming; and Culture and Diversity programming. Graduate and undergraduate students can apply for any of these positions.
  • Develop multicultural programming for graduate students and fraternity and sorority populations. [Student AffairsIDE, GPC, FSL]
    • Status: In progress. The diversity and inclusion work group of the Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisory Board continues to meet and will provide a recommendation later this month. We also recommend this group consider leveraging campus resources to support these efforts. For example, Brian Booton, Undergraduate Director for the University of Missouri’s IMSD-EXPRESS (Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity and  Exposure to Research for Science Students) Program, develops programs aimed at implementing inclusion and diversity initiatives. The program is funded by the National Institutes of Health via NIGMS.
  • Develop training for faculty, staff and TAs to facilitate difficult dialogues in the classroom. [Provost, IDE]
    • Status: In progress. The Division of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity’s faculty fellow for inclusive teaching created an Inclusive Teaching Institute and identified an initial cohort of faculty who have been paid a stipend to go through an experience that is focused on inclusive teaching pedagogy, transforming existing courses, and grappling with difficult dialogues in the classroom. IDE is supporting these efforts and partnering with the Center for Difficult Dialogues to follow through on his proposed initiative this academic year.
  • Explore a first year course or include key outcomes in SSC 1150 and FIGS that contribute to the understanding of all socioeconomic backgrounds of students. [ProvostIDE]
    • Status: In progress. An updated Citizenship@Mizzou course being led by Brian Goers and Laura Hacquard is helping us make headway with this.
  • Offer cross-cultural courses in every discipline that build awareness of different cultures and backgrounds. [ProvostIDE]
    • Status: In progress. Students have the opportunity to complete the cohort of courses and earn the Multicultural Certificate Program. There are cross-cultural courses available in every school and college, including 74 different departments or disciplines.
  • Bring various campus units together to deliver programs and events for students, and expand funding for programs focused on a wide range of social issues. [Student Affairs]
    • Status: In progress. Funding for programs and awareness efforts to support the Multicultural Greek Council and National Pan-hellenic Council has been identified. The diversity and inclusion work group of the Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisory Board was also made aware that grants from the UM System and Division of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity may be available. Additionally, funding for previously independent programming has been centralized into the new Campus Activities Board to maximize financial support of all programs. This initiative will lead to greater student engagement and a greater sense of belonging on campus.

Staff

Led by Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Patty Haberberger and the Staff Advisory Council. Objectives and status:

  • Continue progress toward enhancing professional development offerings and programs for employees. [HRStaff Advisory Council]
    • Status: In progress. Currently working on offerings for Staff Recognition Week. Additionally, a system-wide task force will assess competency models that link to leadership development, career development/pathing, and succession planning.
  • Review paid leave policies and improve — including Winter Break and Shared Leave. [HR]
    • Status: Completed. The Shared Leave policy has been approved effective July 1. The personal day and family sick leave policy revisions have been approved. Those changes include removing the 2-day restriction for personal days during the probationary period, and the 12-day restriction for family sick leave.
  • Establish a committee in collaboration with Staff Advisory Council to recommend and evaluate events and programs on an ongoing basis to improve work-life balance and wellness. [HRStaff Advisory Council]
    • Status: In progress. This effort is still in progress, with the help of a Staff Advisory Council committee focused on events.
  • Standardize hiring practices across the campus including improved employee onboarding and orientation. [HR]
    • Status: In progress. HR service delivery models are being reviewed as a whole as part of the UM System Administrative Review. A system-wide recruitment and onboarding task force is working on assessment of the current recruitment, selection and onboarding processes, and identifying opportunities to improve the experience of the applicant and the hiring manager.
  • Provide essential training for individuals who will hire or manage people, or who will have system access. This includes both faculty and staff. [HR]
    • Status: In progress. HR service delivery models are being reviewed as a whole as part of the UM System Administrative Review. A system-wide task force focused on competency modeling and leadership development will include training for managers of people. That type of training will be incorporated in the work of the recruitment and onboarding task force.

Faculty

Led by the provost, Provost Faculty Fellow for Faculty Development Anna Ball and Faculty Council. Objectives and status:

  • Utilize MU Council of Chairs committee as a vehicle for increased faculty perspective and input on campus matters. [Provost, Faculty Council]
    • Status: Completed. The provost has started attending meetings with the Council of Chairs, and they are regularly consulted at open all-chair forums regarding important campus matters that affect chairs and faculty.
  • Form a campus-level standing committee with representatives from each college to nominate faculty for awards, promote award recognition to a broader audience, and suggest/implement low-cost community building and recognition opportunities. [ProvostFaculty Council]
    • Status: In progress. The charge for the existing Faculty Development Advisory Committee will be expanded to comprise this group. The committee will meet face to face beginning in August to proceed with a plan of work.
  • Implement a promotion and tenure task force each for NTT’s and tenure track faculty to clarify guidelines and processes and develop modules for faculty and chairs. [ProvostFaculty Council]
    • Status: In progress.
      • Non-Tenure Track—Implemented. A work group has met several times and will continue to do so into the fall. They created a Box account to track their work.
      • Tenure Track—In progress. The goal is to organize this task force during fall 2018.
  • Improve opportunities for professional development, in particular a program for mid-career faculty with emphasis on associate professors seeking promotion to full professor. [Provost, HR]
    • Status: In progress. An established work group has started meeting, and will spend time during summer 2018 adding mid-career faculty resources to the Provost’s website. During fall 2018, they will launch a survey to assess the needs of mid-career faculty.
  • Work with system HR offices to create an administrator onboarding program for new assistant/associate deans and department chairs. [ProvostHR]
    • Status: In progress. The provost sought input from the Council of Deans as a first step. This effort is in progress.