Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is rooted in our identity at St. Thomas. Archbishop John Ireland founded the university of St. Thomas for immigrants who weren't welcomed elsewhere. Our convictions call us to protect and enhance the dignity of every human and to work for a more just and equitable society. We strive to be a university characterized by radical hospitality and are steadfast in our commitment to embedding a shared sense of belonging where all feel welcomed.
The University's internal work on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is coordinated through the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI). ODEI ensures that our work within the university to make St. Thomas more inclusive happens at all levels and includes everyone. By using data and stories to measure progress and experiences, and by transparently communicating across the university, ODEI helps campus culture continuously become more diverse and welcoming. In addition, Student Diversity and Inclusion Services (SDIS) directly supports students by offering programming that promotes diversity and social justice awareness and working to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students.
At the same time, St. Thomas is working outside of our walls to achieve social justice and dismantle inequities in the broader community through the Racial Justice Initiative. Through a distinctive focus on historical recovery, the Initiative creates opportunities in partnership with local leaders and groups for critical conversations and actions around racial justice.
Diversity, equity and inclusion are indispensable to academic excellence and the holistic development of our students. Our university community includes and welcomes people of diverse races, ethnicities, geographic origins, gender identities, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, religions, work experiences, physical and intellectual abilities, financial means, and all other characteristics as protected by applicable laws.
We embrace the long-term journey toward inclusion. With intentionality and full focus, and greater participation than ever before, we are prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion and working to make St. Thomas a more welcoming community for all.
Opened in 2017, Dougherty Family College offers an associate degree designed to propel students towards success and provide a smooth transition to a four-year college. This two-year college program is for inspired students who want to obtain a four-year college degree and face financial or social obstacles on the way to their goal.
SDIS promotes diversity and social justice awareness for all students through personal interactions, leadership and training opportunities, and various sponsored and co-sponsored educational programs. We aim to ensure the retention and graduation rates of students of color are equitable, and to maintain an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
Created in November 2020, the Committee will consider amending the current University policy on naming with a focus on the potential need for a coherent set of principles to use when considering the renaming of a building, program, or other asset at the University.
Street art painted on the sides of buildings or plywood-covered windows can help us understand the complexity of the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism, reveals a mapping project spearheaded by St. Thomas faculty.
Read MoreThe opposite of racist isn’t “not racist.” It is actively being an antiracist. That’s the message approximately 1,700 registered attendees of the Equity in Action: Cultivating Antiracist Universities conference heard weaved throughout the various workshops, breakout sessions and the riveting keynote address of guest speaker Professor Ibram X. Kendi, author of the bestseller How to Be An Antiracist.
Father Lawrence Blake reflected on how our work for justice continues after the decision of the jurors in the Derek Chauvin trial.
Professor Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be An Antiracist, is the keynote speaker for the Equity in Action: Cultivating Antiracist Universities conference sponsored by the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of St. Thomas.
Tommie fans will notice changes big and small when they return to the stands to watch their teams compete. One of these changes will be four words adorning some of the warm-up apparel: Shed A Little Light.