St. Cloud State University

Core Component 1B:
In its mission documents, the organization recognizes the diversity of its learners, other constituencies, and the greater society it serves.

St. Cloud State University demonstrates its deep commitment to the diversity of its enrolled population, to those who teach and serve its learners, and to all its constituencies. That commitment is reflected in the mission documents as well as in the way their message is carried out in programs, policies, curriculum, and services aimed at ensuring that all students and employees have opportunities to achieve their potential. The commitment to diversity is reflected in the mission documents but also in the breadth and depth of programs and resources that are woven into the fabric of university life. Consistent with our status as a regional comprehensive university, St. Cloud State University's programs include both liberal arts and professional degree programs serving undergraduate and graduate students.

The commitment to social and cultural diversity is most clearly represented through the Diversity and Social Justice strategic theme. This theme articulates the institution's commitment to ensuring student and employee success at St. Cloud State University regardless of race, ethnicity, cultural or religious background, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Some examples include the Advanced Preparation Program to help prepare incoming students of color for college life, the Women's Center, Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Services, Multicultural Student Services, Student Disability Services, the American Indian Center, and Center for Student Organizations and Leadership Development. The university made a substantial commitment to anti-racism efforts in 2004 with the establishment of the Community Anti-Racism Education Initiative (CARE) committee. The CARE committee includes representatives of the St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud communities. Its mission is to build a lasting anti-racist campus and community. In 2005, the CARE team developed a long-range strategic plan for transforming the university and the surrounding area into anti-racist communities. The university funds a full-time director for the initiative, which is funded, in part, by a grant from the Bremer Foundation.

Official Diversity Statement

The university adopted an official Diversity Statement in 2001 to reflect its commitment to developing and supporting a diverse community of learners and scholars.

"St. Cloud State University will provide equal education and employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, mental or physical disability, status with regard to public assistance or physical disability, or any other group or class against which discrimination is prohibited by state or federal law. The university will not tolerate any activity that constitutes illegal discrimination against any person or group. Consistent with its academic mission, the university also seeks to provide an environment that acknowledges and values diversity of all kinds, including but not limited to race, religion, and ethnicity, amongst faculty, staff, and students."

A shortened version of this diversity statement appears on all printed materials and on the university's letterhead.

Diversity of Students

The university has established recruitment and retention goals for its students of color and has plans in place to achieve those goals. Over the last four years, the number of students of color attending St. Cloud State University has increased 82.2%. Students of color now make up 6.34% of St. Cloud State University's student population and international students make up an additional 6.26%. [10th Day Enrollment Trend Report].

The university is also shifting some of its emphasis to better serve non-traditional students through the creation of the Evening and Weekend University, the expansion of on-line course offerings and off-campus cohorts, such as the Maple Grove MBA program, and through partnerships and articulation agreements with MnSCU community and technical colleges, such as the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Portal Program.

Evaluation of Core Component 1B

St. Cloud State University recognizes the diversity of its learners and supports their unique needs. The university's mission documents identify its responsibility to serve a diverse student population and its role in outreach and support for populations of color throughout the Central Minnesota region and the state. The documents also lay the groundwork for serving other diverse populations, including first-generation and non-traditional students.

Strengths: St. Cloud State University's mission documents place significant importance on serving a diverse population of students and employees. The university's commitment to increase multicultural and global understanding is reflected by the diversity and social justice strategic planning theme.

Initiatives in Progress: In the last year, the university has worked diligently to codify performance measures for its strategic themes and to include a greater emphasis on expanding the international learning experiences of its students, faculty, staff and administrators. Efforts have been made to enhance the recruitment and retention activities to ultimately increase the number of students, staff, and faculty of color.

Future Challenges: The demographic shifts in Minnesota indicate that a greater percentage of Minnesota's graduating high school students will be students of color, including recent immigrants. St. Cloud State University needs to be prepared to address the unique learning and support needs of these students.