Proposed NASPAA Diversity Standard

DRAFT--Proposed change to the NASPAA
Standards for Professional Masters Degree Programs in Public Affairs, Policy, Administration:

Proposed NASPAA Diversity Standard

x.0 Diversity:

x.1 Faculty Diversity.

x.1.1 Recruitment. The faculty shall be diverse with respect to such dimensions as race, ethnicity, gender, and disability, with particular attention to the inclusion of traditionally underrepresented groups. Programs that do not meet this standard shall present evidence of a plan to implement actions that increase faculty diversity. Programs and plans to ensure faculty diversity shall generally reflect NASPAA's Diversity Guidelines.

x.1.2 Program Environment. Programs must demonstrate openness to faculty from differing intellectual perspectives and diverse cultures and identities.

x.2 Student Diversity.

x.2.1. Recruitment. The composition of students shall be diverse with respect to such dimensions as race, ethnicity, gender, and disability, with particular attention to the inclusion of traditionally underrepresented groups. Programs that do not meet this standard shall present evidence of a plan to implement actions that increase student diversity. Programs and plans to ensure student diversity shall generally reflect NASPAA's Diversity Guidelines.

x.2.2 Program Environment. Programs must demonstrate openness to students from differing intellectual perspectives and diverse cultures, and identities.

x.3 Diversity Across the Curriculum. Program activities must prepare students to work in and contribute to diverse workplaces and communities. Consequently, courses, curriculum materials, and other program activities should expose students to differences relating to social identity categories, such as race, ethnicity, gender, class, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, and disability.

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[Note: The new standard would replace the old language in Standard 5.5 Faculty Diversity: “There should be evidence that specific plans are being implemented to assure the diversity of the composition of the faculty with respect to the representation of minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. Programs and plans to insure faculty diversity shall generally reflect NASPAA's Diversity Guidelines.” And the language in Standard 6.1 Admission Goals and Standards, which states, “…and reflecting specific concern for the representation of minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. Programs and plans designed to insure student diversity shall generally reflect NASPAA's Diversity Guidelines.]