Oral Histories

The University Council for Diversity asked IWU alumni to participate in the Oral History Project during Homecoming 2010. Listen or read transcripts.

This council is charged to support and guide Illinois Wesleyan University in achieving our goals with respect to diversity.  The council will begin by assessing our progress and defining specific steps to be taken to accomplish the five strategies outlined in the Strategic Plan under part four, Diversity.

IV. Diversity Goal: Increase and sustain diversity among students, faculty, staff, administrators, and trustees; with a special focus on attaining "critical masses" from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, create a welcoming, inclusive, multicultural campus where all community members appreciate and respect the diversity of the nation and the world.

(Endorsed by the SPSC and the IWU Board of Trustees, Spring 2004; first progress report on the goal presented by President Richard Wilson to the Trustees in May 2005.)

Strategy A : Developing a Commitment. Develop a campus-wide commitment to diversity as an institutional priority and foster the sustained community will to achieve the University’s diversity goals.

Strategy B : Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Student Body. Use strong, persistent, and culturally specific practices to recruit and retain a diverse student body, with emphasis on racial and ethnic diversity.

Strategy C : Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Faculty and Staff. Recruit and retain a diverse faculty, Cabinet, and staff, with emphasis on racial and ethnic diversity.

Strategy D : Developing and Sustaining a Welcoming Campus Climate. Develop and sustain a campus climate that welcomes diversity and multiculturalism and stresses their essential role in maintaining the quality of IWU’s educational programs.

Strategy E : Involving Diverse Constituencies. Promote and strengthen the involvement of diverse groups of alumni, friends, and community leaders in the life of their University.