Letter from the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility

Dear Pacific University Community,

The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility (OEDIA) is committed to provide leadership, and create partnerships to promote shared responsibility for creating a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible campus in which students, faculty, and staff can thrive.

We work across units and academic departments to foster an equitable and inclusive community by promoting understanding and appreciation of differences, challenging biases, and systemic barriers, and by providing opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Creating equity and belonging requires us to take active steps to challenge systemic barriers and address systemic inequalities. We recognize that by being intentional through educational awareness, addressing systemic barriers, and fostering community we will:

  • Provide education and resources to increase understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
  • Examine and change policies, practices, and structures that perpetuate inequities and prevent individuals from reaching their full potential.
  • Build supportive and inclusive communities where all individuals feel a sense of belonging, valued, and respected.

All members of Pacific University possess unique experiences; these experiences represent our collective strengths. We believe that engaging a variety of perspectives, and backgrounds improves our educational environment, leads to innovative research, and positions us to better serve our diverse communities. The bottom line, we celebrate our differences.

Sincerely,

Jean Garcia-Chitwood

Acting Vice President for the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility

 

The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility's Mission, Vision, and Values are: 

Mission | The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (OEDIA) is committed to provide leadership, and create partnerships to expedite shared responsibility for creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus in which students, faculty, and staff can prosper.

Vision | For Pacific to reflect and serve all segments of society and whose people, policies, protocols, practices and learning spaces serve as a model for inclusive excellence.

Values

  • Social Justice
  • People
  • Strategic and Systemic Change
  • Shared Responsibility
  • Mutual Accountability