Roundtable Report
In order to understand our community’s expectations and needs regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Office of IDEI held 12 virtual sessions across six topics of diversity with 255 Loyolan participants. Our roundtable discussions — which took place in February and March 2022 — were a vital step towards fostering a more represented, inclusive, and equitable culture on campus.
As anticipated, each roundtable added a unique perspective to our office’s plan for action and in navigating how we will collectively approach the work of creating a Loyola University Chicago that we can all be proud of.
Please explore the key findings related to each topic area.
Gender
Through our participants in the roundtables, we learned that there is much work to be done in creating a gender-affirming Loyola, specifically as it pertains to policies that support gender inclusivity and spaces that affirm gender identity. Participants noted a need for transparency and action in the areas of policy, training, and affinity spaces.
LGBTQIA+
During the roundtables, participants shared that students, staff, and faculty from the LGBTQIA+ community do not feel safe in all spaces on campus. In addition to an expansion of affinity spaces for Loyolans who identify as LGBTQIA+, clear messaging and data that affirm LGBTQIA+ representation on campus is needed.
Race + Ethnicity
Participants at the roundtables shared that there is momentum at Loyola in terms of work related to race and ethnicity, but there is much work that needs to be done in terms of establishing a culture where all stakeholders can have courageous conversations about race and ethnicity that leads to trust and belonging. Participants identified a need to continue the momentum, while also expanding training, data-based decision-making, and resources for DEI work so this cultural shift can be realized.
Disability + Access
During the roundtables, participants shared that students, staff, and faculty of diverse abilities want to partner to increase accessibility within classrooms and across campuses so that ability status does not continue to lead to harm in our community. Specific actions identified by participants include a need for more training on ableism and awareness on the resources available to support all stakeholders. There is also a need to increase support for access, including facilities maintenance and pedagogy.
Religion
As a community that values faith and religion, participants in the roundtables shared that we need to continue to create spaces where all individuals feel safe to practice their faith across all campuses, whether it means celebrating religious holidays and spaces for religious practice. Specific actions identified by participants were to create more spaces to connect with a variety of religious faiths, including celebrations, and clear messaging around the University’s Catholic identity.
Diversity in the Classroom
Roundtable participants shared that we could do a better job of living out our mission when it comes to pedagogy and curriculum in learning spaces, especially as it pertains to ensuring that our instructional practices are inclusive of the lived experiences of our learners. Specific actions mentioned by participants include incentivizing DEI work and expanding supports for systemic change and professional development.
In order to understand our community’s expectations and needs regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Office of IDEI held 12 virtual sessions across six topics of diversity with 255 Loyolan participants. Our roundtable discussions — which took place in February and March 2022 — were a vital step towards fostering a more represented, inclusive, and equitable culture on campus.
As anticipated, each roundtable added a unique perspective to our office’s plan for action and in navigating how we will collectively approach the work of creating a Loyola University Chicago that we can all be proud of.
Please explore the key findings related to each topic area.