Documents Archive

Over the last 20 years, Lehigh has witnessed a series of diversity initiatives with goals to improve the campus climate and increase the numbers of women and people of color among the faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and university leadership. Gathered here are brief descriptions of those initiatives along with any written documentation we have been able to obtain about their activities and any reported progress they made.

If you are aware of any initiatives or documentation that is missing from the archive below, please let us know by clicking here and sending us a message.

Commision on Minorities and Women (1989-1990)

In 1989-1990, the Commission on Minorities and Women formed study groups that compiled a comprehensive report and recommendations on Academic Programs and Services, Campus Life, Conditions of Employment, Institutional Climate, and Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement.

View the Commission on Minorities and Women Report, June 1990 >> (PDF)

View the Commission on Minorities and Women Survey Results >> (PDF)

The President's Commission on Diversity (1996-1998)

In 1996, President Likins created "The President's Commission on Diversity" to address issues of diversity in the Lehigh community, to understand problems and issues,and to offer guidance and solutions. In 1998, Likens asked the Commission to prepare a report that would delineate the status of diversity at the university in order to educate the incoming president, Gregory Farrington.

View the 1996-98 President's Commission on Diversity Report >> (PDF)

Achieving a More Diverse Lehigh (2002)

In September 2002, President Gregory Farrington sent to the campus community "Achieving a More Diverse Lehigh," which reported on specific actions to improve campus climate and to recruit students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented groups.

View the September 2002 "Achieving a More Diverse Lehigh" report and plan >> (HTML)

View the December 2002 update on accomplishments >> (HTML)

View the Fall 2003 update and AY03-04 plan >> (PDF)

University Diversity Leadership Committee (2005-2007)

The University Leadership Committee (UDLC) was established by Provost Mohamed El-Aasser in the Spring of 2005 to evaluate the status of diversity efforts at Lehigh and make recommendations for moving ahead. The UDLC was an umbrella organization for three additional task forces: the Task Force for Student Diversity, the Task Force for Faculty Diversity, and the Task Force for Staff Diversity.

View the UDLC's 2005-2006 Report (8/4/2006) >> (PDF)

View the UDLC's Final Report (8/6/2007) >> (PDF)
(PLEASE NOTE: While the "Rankin Report" was originally part of this document, it has been taken out of this copy for confidentiality purposes. Lehigh community members can access the Rankin Report separately, below.)

In the Summer and Fall of 2007, the UDLC Benchmarking Subcommittee investigated best practices for the administration of campus-wide diversity programs at American universities. Interviews were conducted with chief diversity officers and other leaders of institutional diversity offices at ten universities. The group also researched and reviewed recently published articles on academic institutional diversity. Based on their benchmarking and research, the Benchmarking Subcommittee offered recommendations for change at Lehigh. (PLEASE NOTE: The appendices for this report are not being generally distributed due to issues of confindentiality for the interviewees. To request permission to review the appendices, click here.)

View the UDLC Benchmarking Subcommittee Report (11/30/2007) >> (PDF)

The Movement (2006-2009)

The Movement was a grass-roots, student-led group that formed Spring 2006 in response to concerns about the lack of cultural acceptance and the presence of racism, homophobia, and sexism on campus. The group's goal was to create an environment where all students, faculty, and staff can feel welcome to express their individuality in a safe community atmosphere.

View the Movement's Spring 2006 Diversity Proposal ("List of Demands") >> (PDF)

View the administration's "Reponse to the Movement's List of Demands" (1/15/2007) >> (PDF)

View the Movement's "Statement of Concerns" (3/1/2006) >> (PDF)

Campus Climate Survey (The "Rankin Report," 2006-2007)

In 2006 the UDLC engaged Rankin & Associates, a nationally respected consulting group, to help assess the climate for diversity on campus. With an impressive 41% return rate, the comprehensive study provided information on areas of greatest concern and impact to frame the future direction of Lehigh's diversity initiatives.

You'll need your Lehigh ID* and password to access the Rankin documents:

View Rankin & Associates' Final Report (3/28/2007) >> (PDF)

View Rankin & Associates' Report Presentation Slides (2/12/2007) >> (PDF)

Open letter from President Gast on the climate survey results (2/13/2007) >> (PDF)

The Creation of the CEC (March 2008-present)

Based on the Rankin Report recommendations and with the support of UDLC members, Lehigh University decided to disband the UDLC and its Task Forces to prepare for and sustain the next generation of diveristy and equity initiatives. To help the university determine the individual and collective roles that all Lehigh community members can play to foster this vision, the CEC was formed in March 2008.

View President Gast's "Strategic Thinking Process: Institutional Goal Integration" Remarks (12/10/2007) >> (PDF)

View the CEC News Story (1/21/2008) >> (HTML)

View the "Establishing a Council for Equity and Community" document (1/27/2008) >> (PDF)

View Alice Gast's charge to the CEC (3/26/2008) >> (PDF)

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