Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Metropolitan State University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion has provided the campus community with a broad framework and definitions of equity, diversity, and inclusion in their Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Report. MSU Denver acknowledges the indigenous people and land of Auraria and the broader Denver area through our Land and Labor Acknowledgment. Our college uses these artifacts as a foundational source in developing purpose, meaning, and objectives for our own DEI work. Our statement reflects MSU Denver’s values through a lens of the college disciplines: humanities (letters), arts, and sciences.

Building on the spirit of the commitment by our University, the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences embraces and celebrates the diverse, intersectional identities of our students, faculty, and staff. It is one of our sources of strength. We recognize true equity and access require more than a mere display of diverse representation in our community’s backgrounds, identities, and perspectives; it requires meaningful and consistent commitment to educate, learn, and evolve.

We work to create a community where all members can thrive through belonging, expression, and positive influence in shaping one other.  We value the expertise that marginalized lived experiences create, and we work to bring that expertise to the center of our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

In a statement to the campus community on April 21, 2021, President Davidson made a pledge: “We must continue to move beyond statements toward action, and we will.”

This vision gives us a starting point for the CLAS community. It represents our shared understanding, values, and commitment to action. We strive to act in ways that combat oppression in its ideological, interpersonal, institutional, and internalized manifestations.¹

Our college is expansive. It houses the foundation of all human learning through the arts, humanities, and sciences. This foundation unites us across disciplines and enables us to celebrate and act on our shared values. At the core of these values is the belief that diversity across social identities, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, class, gender, gender identity, sexuality, ability, religion, and nationality can and does create a strong and vibrant college community.

While diversity brings immense value to our campus community, diversity without equity is not sustainable, nor is it just. Equity requires that we provide resources and opportunities necessary for each individual to achieve their goals and aspirations.

Understandings of diversity, equity, and inclusion are intellectually demanding and constantly evolving. As such, our beliefs, assumptions, and practices must also be nimble, so that we meet our communities needs within a contemporary and modern framework.  Therefore, this statement serves as a living document and initial step in our work, accompanied by a promise to modify as it becomes necessary over time.

We understand the “living” and fluid nature of this document. The space and opportunity for continuous feedback is always welcome.

Metropolitan State University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion has provided the campus community with a broad framework and definitions of equity, diversity, and inclusion in their Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Report. Our college uses these artifacts as a foundational source in developing purpose, meaning, and objectives for our own DEI work.

The CLAS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee mission is to discuss, communicate and create collaboration in ongoing and upcoming initiatives and events that support the goal of enhancing the environment for diversity, inclusion, equity, and access in CLAS and across the University. It aims to foster and support an inclusive and respectful environment for all members of the CLAS community. The committee will make recommendations to the Dean’s office on diversity-related issues and raise awareness of existing formal and informal barriers to diversity and inclusivity.