Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Our Mission
The University of New Haven embraces diversity and recognizes our responsibility to foster a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment in which all members of the Charger community of all backgrounds and identities can learn, work, and live together. We benefit from the academic, social, and cultural developments that arise from a diverse campus that is committed to equity, inclusion, belonging, and accountability.
We have a responsibility as a community and as individuals to address and remove barriers, achieve success, and sustain a culture of inclusivity, empathy, kindness, and compassion. We encourage, welcome, and embrace participation in ongoing dialogue, engagement, and education to critically examine and thoughtfully respond to the changing realities of our community. Diversity, equity, inclusion, acceptance, and belonging enrich the Charger community and are instrumental to institutional success and fulfillment of the University mission.
Keep reading to learn more about what our campus offers.
The Myatt Center plans programs and activities that promote cultural diversity, awareness, and sensitivity throughout the campus community.
Mission Statement: The mission of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Council is to serve as an advisory group to the president and campus community, providing strategic advice and recommendations based on observations, reports, and monitoring concerning diversity on the University of New Haven campus.
The IDEA Council is committed to bringing together students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni of all identities. These identities—including, among others, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, religion, varying physical ability and mental abilities, marital status, national origin, socioeconomic status, creed, class, age, profession, veteran status, and regional identity—carry socially constructed meaning and value.
As members of the Council, our commitment is to the cultural competency, intercultural and personal development that is best supported in a climate that respects differences and provides a sense of belonging and inclusion.
At the University of New Haven, diversity means embracing and celebrating the many differences that exist among the members of a dynamic, intellectual and inclusive community and welcoming the full spectrum of human characteristics, ideas, and world views. As such, the IDEA Council strongly values the broad range of perspectives arising from our diverse society and the campus community. Diversity stimulates learning, encourages imagination, and benefits all – students, employees, and the greater community. It creates an environment that fosters appreciation of the values, skills, and abilities of everyone.
Culturally Based Recognized Student Organizations
- American Criminal Justice Association (Tolerance Committee)
- Black Student Union
- Caribbean Student Association
- Chinese Student and Scholar Association
- Coalition to Combat Trafficking in Persons
- Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU)
- Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society
- Elite Step Team
- Engineers Without Borders Club
- Hermadad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.
- Indian Student Council
- International Student Association
- Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, Inc.
- Lambda Psi Delta Sorority, Inc.
- Latin American Student Association
- National Association for Advancement of Colored People
- National Society of Minorities in Hospitality
- New Life Fellowship
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
- Saudi Student Club
- Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity, Inc.
- Society of Women Engineers
- Student Pagans Educating, Leading, and Learning
- University of New Haven Pride
- Victimology Club
Administrators: University employees who serve in senior leadership roles that inform campus policy and practices at a high level, such as Deans, Directors, Provosts, Vice Presidents, and the President at the University
Campus Climate: Current attitudes, behaviors, and standards held by members of the campus community regarding how inclusive and welcoming the campus is for individuals from various backgrounds and experiences
Disability: Term used to describe a person who has a physical, cognitive/mental, sensory, emotional or developmental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities
Ethnicity: A group of people who share a common heritage and/or ancestry; ethnic groups may also share a common language and religion
Faculty Member: University employees who typically teach in classroom settings
Gender Identity: A person’s sense of being male, female, neither or both. It is personally defined (vs. being defined by how others see you)
Inclusion: State of feeling/believing/perceiving that one is included and embraced in a given community; an inclusive environment is one in which all individuals are respected regardless of how they identify (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, citizenship status, disability, etc.)
Non-Native English Speakers: People for whom English is not the first language they learned as a child
Privilege: Refers to an exclusive right granted on the basis of social status, heritage, sex, religious background, sexual orientation, etc.
Racial Identity: A socially constructed classification based on generalized physical features such as skin color, hair type, shape of eyes, physique, etc.
Racial/Ethnic Profiling: The use of an individual’s race/ethnicity (or the individual’s assumed race/ethnicity) as justification for an arrest, a traffic stop, etc.
Racial Tension: Term used to describe the perception of a strained relationship between people of different racial backgrounds
Resident Authority: Term used to describe someone who has been put in a position to speak for an entire demographic. Making someone the “resident authority” or spokesperson incorrectly assumes that individuals of the same background all think and act alike.
Sexual Orientation: Term which describes one’s emotional, physical and sexual attraction to another person; this is inclusive of, but not limited to, those who define themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, heterosexual, or asexual
Socioeconomic Status: Refers to one’s status or sociological classification based on income level, wealth, occupation, and educational background
Staff Member: University employees who typically work with students outside of classroom settings; however, some staff may not work with any students
Students: University students who are enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree seeking program. While some students may work at the University, thier primary engagement with the university in learning in classroom settings
Transgender: Term used to describe people whose gender identity differs from the social expectations for the physical sex they were born with
The Accessibility Resources Center provides comprehensive services and support that serve to promote educational equity and ensure that students are able to participate in all the opportunities available at the University.
The Office of Graduate and International Student Life works to foster an inclusive and supportive environment to ensure every international and graduate student has a positive and enriching experience during their time at the University.