Equity and Inclusion Open Forum

Publish Date: Dec. 22, 2022

Crafton Hills College held an all-campus virtual Equity Plan Open Forum for students and employees to discuss its equity plan. Dr. Delmy Montenegro-Spencer, Vice President of Student Services, moderated the discussion. Discussion questions included: What is missing from the Equity Plan? Does the Plan identify equity gaps? and Do you understand what the action steps are?

This forum facilitated a campuswide discussion of how the College performs on measures of multifaceted topics of diversity, equity, and the success of its students. Attendees joined a variety of breakout rooms, each with a different topic. Groups discussed disparities in educational outcomes and student success as well as potential action steps for reducing or eliminating these disparities.

Those in the breakout room discussing the success and completion of Black students questioned whether it was possible to find a solution to low success rates for this group without knowing what is driving this gap in performance and why enrollment of minority students is down nationwide. Without quantitative answers as to why student success is impaired, the solution to the problems that perpetuate a racial divide will be difficult to develop and enact. The consensus was that more discourse is necessary, and these forums are an integral part of closing equity gaps by allowing everyone to voice their concerns.

CHC President Dr. Kevin Horan closed the forum by thanking everyone in attendance and stressing Crafton Hills College’s commitment to equity and diversity.