The Ottawa University
Diversity Statement
https://www.ottawa.edu/about/mission-and-vision
Diversity is defined as that incredible and beautiful
variety of personal identities, experiences, values
and world views that result from differences of origin, culture and
circumstance. Ottawa University defines and appreciates diversity in all of its forms including age, ability or disability,
ethnicity, national origin, race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation,
and family and marital status.
Ottawa University celebrates and prizes the diversity of
its students, faculty staff and Board of Trustees. In keeping with its mission
statement, the University is called to actively foster an environment of
awareness, appreciation, and intentional inclusivity. We hold this as essential
in an institution which declares that it will conduct its affairs in a caring,
Christ-centered community of grace.
We believe we must embrace diversity because to do so is
just, powerful, personally enriching and intelligent
and because we believe Christ has called us to do so through His teachings and
His example.
In committing to and honoring our Diversity Statement,
members of our community will:
LIVE DIVERSITY BY:
- Encouraging and empowering all to build an especially open and
welcoming community.
- Valuing and respecting ourselves and all others.
- Developing a passion for diversity by deepening our cultural
awareness and extending our intercultural experiences beyond mere study.
- Creating a culture on all of our campuses in which all persons are seen as unique and
all individuals know they are prized and valued.
- Behaving as open and inclusive people through our actions and voice
in all settings in which we conduct our lives, including in our:
- Classrooms
- Residence halls
- Other University buildings and public spaces
- Athletic endeavors
- Student, faculty, staff and board organizations.
- Social engagements
- The general workplace
- Our places of worship
- In the surrounding communities in which we live and
work
- With our families, friends
and associates.
LEARN DIVERSITY BY:
Fostering personal growth by actively exploring and better
understanding the origins of our assumptions, judgments, and points of view and
constantly challenging ourselves to refrain from prejudice or unexamined points
of view.
Promoting and nurturing a learning environment in which
students, faculty and staff are encouraged to understand the challenges,
accomplishments, heritage and perspectives of all
peoples in order to gain a fuller and more mature understanding who we are as
well as others.
Teaching ourselves and others to engage in constructive
dialogue as a way to reach out to those who may think or act differently than
we do.
LEAD IN PROMOTING AND DEFENDING DIVERSITY BY:
Questioning the status quo, seeking to understand competing
perspectives, and encouraging one another to move from our comfort zones to
experience and celebrate the richness of a diverse society.
Sponsoring initiatives to continuously stretch the
University community to expand its view of diversity and to reach out to other
communities to advance a greater understanding and respect for diversity.
Using the diverse talents, skills and perspectives of each
member of our community in powerful ways to reach our educational and
organizational objectives.