Message from the President and the Provost

In the spring of 2006, Virginia Commonwealth University’s Board of Visitors approved VCU 2020 – Vision for Excellence, a comprehensive and transformational strategic plan.  Among the five themes and 40 correlating initiatives of VCU 2020 is a clear commitment toward equity and inclusion among our faculty, staff and students.  The University Equity and Diversity Committee was charged with the development of an action plan that would ensure the enrichment of the VCU community through the benefits of diversity.

“VCU is one university with a common future, that is engaged with and committed to the community of which it is a part, and which purposefully and proudly provides access and opportunity that many major research universities do not, while embracing and celebrating diversity in its student body, faculty, staff and administration, and recognizing that learning, scholarship, service and practice are at the heart of what VCU does, and define what VCU is.” From VCU 2020 – Vision for Excellence

A key step toward the development of the plan was a survey of all faculty and staff to help evaluate the working atmosphere of the University as it relates to diversity.  Of the 4,672 full-time faculty and staff at VCU, 2,051 (44%) responded to the survey.  Overall, the survey results show that we have much to be proud of -- 94% of respondents reported being proud to work for VCU, and 89% of respondents would recommend VCU as a place to work.  But we also found that we have areas for improvement -- for example, in retaining and promoting women and minorities, and in ensuring that classified staff feel valued as vital members of the VCU community.

Over the past year, the Equity and Diversity Committee has carefully analyzed the results of the survey and developed a Five Year Diversity Plan.  This plan has also benefited from lengthy discussions among the 36 members of the committee, input and feedback from persons affiliated with units identified to assist in implementation of the Plan, and consideration of similar plans developed at other institutions. 

The Five Year Diversity Plan proposed by the University Equity and Diversity Committee provides a framework and identifies specific actions designed to bring us closer to the future envisioned in VCU 2020 Vision for Excellence.  The Plan deserves careful consideration and thoughtful input that will generate the consensus and commitment needed for successful implementation.  It is our hope that this plan will encourage lively and widespread discussion and that every member of the faculty and staff will feel free to provide helpful insights and suggestions.  We encourage and welcome your input. Responses to this draft of the Plan are due by September 16th.

Thank you for your continued support of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Sincerely,

Eugene P. Trani President

Stephen D. Gottfredson Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs