University of Southern Maine

Diversity Plan: 2003 - 2005

Division of Enrollment Management

The Division of Enrollment Management is comprised of the following units: Undergraduate Admission, Advising and Academic Resources, Registrar, Student Financial Aid, Student Information and Research Services (SIRS), and University Extension. Detailed strategies and action items for each goal of the plan for each department follow this general divisional overview.

GOAL I: Climate

USM continuously strives to make the climate a welcoming climate inclusive in its understanding and integration across multiple dimensions of diversity, including but not limited to, diversity based on race and ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, gender expression and identity, religion and class.

• All departments and divisions within the Division of Enrollment Management will strive to ensure representation of multicultural and diverse populations on all appropriate departmental and divisional committees.
  
  
• All departments will ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for the students and clients they serve.
  
  
• All staff in the Division will be encouraged to participate in any and all training and staff development opportunities connected to issues and best practice approaches in working with our many students and diverse student populations;
  
  
• All departments will promote and facilitate collaboration between and among the departments and divisions of academic affairs, student and university life, enrollment management, administration and advancement to ensure a comprehensive approach to all programs and services associated with underrepresented students.
  
  
• All departments will determine appropriate assessment tools to evaluate and enhance all efforts within this goal. The Office of the Vice President will monitor this assessment.

GOAL II: Academic Experience

The USM academic experience, which includes both curricular and co-curricular activities, increasingly reflects the multiplicity and diversity of communities and cultures locally, nationally and globally.

• Those departments within the Division with responsibility for academic coursework, either credit or noncredit, will continue to encourage, support and promote coursework, seminars and workshops which deal with issues connected to multicultural and diverse populations, through both in-class and out-of-class learning experiences.
  
  
• Those departments with these responsibilities will work in collaboration with internal and external groups to explore further opportunities for enhancement and expansion of our offerings associated with diversity.
  
  
• All departments will determine appropriate assessment tools to evaluate all programs and services provided under this goal. The Office of the Vice President will monitor this assessment.

GOAL III: Student Recruitment and Retention

USM strives to increase the diversity of its student body through active outreach and recruitment. USM increasingly works to develop structures and mechanisms that support the retention of all students, particularly students of color and other underrepresented populations.

• All departments within the Division will ensure that all publications are created in a welcoming and inclusive way that encourages participation by underrepresented groups.
  
  
• All departments within the Division will promote programs and services which work toward the recruitment and retention of all students, with special attention to those from underrepresented populations.
  
  
• The Vice President will work with all departments in the identification of appropriate funding for those programs and services which best respond to the recruitment and retention needs of all of our students.
  
  
• All departments will identify appropriate assessment tools to evaluate programs and services provided under this goal. The Office of the Vice President will monitor this assessment.

GOAL IV: Faculty and Staff Recruitment and Retention

USM strives to increase the diversity of faculty and staff, particularly faculty and staff of color, but inclusive of other underrepresented populations as defined in Goal I.

• The Office of the Vice President will identify funding for appropriate professional development as needed.
  
  
• The Office of the Vice President will support, through active participation, the staff mentoring program and actively encourage mentoring within each department.
  
  
• The Vice President and directors will emphasize to all staff members the importance and benefits of developing a diverse and inclusive workplace.
  
  
• The Office of the Vice President will ensure that any plans for training of departments are shared with other divisions/departments.
  
  
• All departments will disseminate any relevant publications to interested departments and external organizations.
  
  
• All departments within the division will ensure their commitment to diversity through hiring practices and search committees.
  
  
• Assessment of this goal area will be monitored by the Office of the Vice President.

Division of Enrollment Management includes the following departments:

• Undergraduate Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Student Information and Research Services
• Registrar's Office
• University Extension
• Advising and Academic Resources