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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ)
OVERVIEW
Our Commitment
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University believe that an excellent liberal arts education requires an understanding and appreciation of cultural difference and that everyone deserves to feel safe and morally valued. To that end, we will challenge our own practices and systems to best meet the needs of our community as we educate students to address the most urgent needs of society. We dedicate ourselves to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons.
What is DEIJ?
Diversity: The presence of the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national origin, and political beliefs. It is the lived experience with “the other” in our midst.
Equity: Having fair and just practices that ensure access, resources, and opportunities are provided for all to succeed and grow.
Inclusion: The involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized.
Justice: Creating environments and systems that support all equitably without regard to race-ethnicity, gender identity, religion, learning potential or other forms of difference. Justice is equity at the systemic level.
Our goal is to create a community where all students, faculty and staff across identities may succeed in a climate that is characterized by our belief that the people who make up community are transformed and made better not in spite of, but because of the presence of others in our community.
– Sandra Mitchell, Senior Diversity Officer, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
BELIEFS
A Stronger Community
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University believe that an excellent liberal arts education requires an understanding and appreciation of cultural difference and that everyone deserves to feel safe and morally valued. To that end, we will challenge our own practices and systems. Our commitment to an inclusive environment will be incorporated into all decision-making processes. We dedicate ourselves to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons. We dedicate ourselves to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons. This includes:
- Foster a learning and working environment that reflects respect for all persons
- Make decisions in accordance with our commitment to inclusivity
- Promote inclusion via self-reflection and professional development
- Respond to the common call of Catholic Social Teaching and Benedictine values to dismantle systems of oppression
- Share and engage these practices in all that we do in the classroom, across our campuses and in the greater world
We believe a strong community is one that engages diverse perspectives and ideas in civil discourse. In an increasingly complex society, fostering an understanding across diverse culture is crucial to understanding the world and communities in which we live. Dialogue can provide opportunities for students as well as faculty and staff interact constructively, feel more deeply connected to their CSB+SJU experience, and develop empathy with the experiences of others.
DEIJ Advisory Board
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) Advisory Board is an institution-wide committee charged with promoting the liberal arts ideas of learning, justice and community to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University. The council meets regularly to align strategic initiatives and emerging topics with the value of DEIJ in our community.
DEIJ Strategic Priorities
- Culture and Climate of Transformative Inclusion
- Infrastructure and Accountability
- Student Enrollment and Success
- Workforce Development as Tools for Transforming Community
- Education and Development
- Building and Sustaining Partnerships
Helpful Links
Bias Reporting
Faculty, staff and students are together responsible for maintaining an educational and working environment that is consis…
Resources
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in whic…
Reflections & Actions
Archive of previous reflections and actions