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Commitment to Equity

We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment for you that values diversity and promotes equity. Excellence is not possible without inclusion, and we strive to uphold these values as a department and within our residential communities.

Important Terms*

  • Diversity – Individual differences (e.g. personality, learning styles, and life experiences) and group or social differences (e.g. race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, country of origin, and ability as well as cultural, political, religious, or other affiliations). (AACU)
  • Inclusiveness – The active, intentional, and ongoing engagement with diversity – in the curriculum, in the co-curriculum, and in communities (intellectual, social, cultural, geographic) with which individuals might connect – in ways that increase awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within systems and institutions. (AACU)
  • Equity – The creation of opportunities for historically underrepresented populations to have equal access to and participate in educational programs that are capable of closing the achievement gaps in student success and completion. (AACU)
  • Intolerance – Intolerance serves as an umbrella term that includes:
    • Discrimination – The denial of opportunities and equal rights to individuals and groups because of prejudice and for other arbitrary reasons
    • Institutional Discrimination – A denial of opportunities and equal rights to individuals or groups resulting from the normal operations of society
    • Prejudice – A negative attitude towards an entire category of peoples such as a racial or ethnic minority
    • Ableism – Discrimination or prejudice against people with disabilities
    • Homophobia – Discrimination against homosexuality or homosexual people or individuals perceived to be homosexual
    • Racism – The inherent belief in the superiority of one race over all others and thereby the right to dominance
    • Sexism – Discrimination or devaluation based on a person’s sex or gender

*All definitions compiled by the Director of Multicultural Student Services at Boise State University

Intolerant behavior has no place in our communities and will be addressed in accordance with our Community Standards. Community Standards information can be found here. For more information about diversity, inclusiveness, and equity, visit Boise State’s Student Equity website.