V. A Diverse and Inclusive Community

We take great pride in Fordham's student-centeredness, our Jesuit legacy of engagement across cultures, and our rich history of welcoming immigrants. But these commitments and traditions are also a mandate: our efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive community must go beyond improving a statistical snapshot. We must be attentive to authentic, pluralistic dialogue and engagement. By doing so, we affirm that difference is a gift, and ensure that people of all faiths, beliefs and personal commitments can find a home here.

A. Promote Diversity and Inclusion

1. Appoint a Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer reporting to the President and identify leaders throughout the University to lead, support, and coordinate strategies that will create a more diverse and inclusive campus climate.
    
2. Strengthen the focus of undergraduate and graduate/professional curricula and program offerings on the many dimensions of human diversity.
    
3. Enhance the cultural competency of faculty, staff, and students in order to anticipate and take account of changing societal demographics, mores, and attitudes.

B. Retain, Develop and Recruit Institutional Leaders, Faculty, Staff, and Students Who Reflect the Regional and National Diversity of Society

1. Establish institutional policies for the retention and recruitment of faculty and senior administrators from diverse and underrepresented populations.
    
2. Substantially increase the enrollment, retention, and graduation rates of students from underrepresented and underserved populations and provide sufficient financial assistance to ensure that they can attend and thrive at Fordham.
    
3. Expand and better integrate existing opportunity programs, especially those that serve the geographical areas where Fordham is located.