1. Identify which biases and or stereotypes might exacerbate the type of behavior described in this case.

2. What responsibility does a college or university have in insuring all students feel safe and welcome at their institutions? Answer this question using Rights Theory and theories of Justice.

3. Why is it important for EDI policies to be implemented in the workplace? Refer to the Deloitte surveys in answering this question.

Leaving home for the first time and going off to college is an exciting and stressful time for tens of thousands of students across the U.S. each year.  Leaving the familiarity of family, friends and community behind and entering an often much more diverse community filled with people with different social, political, religious, racial, national, and sexual orientation backgrounds can create challenges. Luckily, there is currently an effort across the United States to reduce the impact of potential biases by educating people on and promoting the benefits of having diversity in communities, businesses, schools and social groups people belong to. These efforts are more commonly known as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Initiatives. One example of a college that seems to have it right with respect to EDI policies is the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. A brief review of those policies and programs appear in Exhibit 2-5.
EXHIBIT 2-5     Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policies and Programs
Faculty and staff at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire (UWEC) have incorporated EDI initiatives into their core mission. The core mission is to create an inclusive community where all students thrive and find the programs and support needed to reach their full potential. Too often, members of underrepresented groups feel alienated and/or are unconsciously or consciously discriminated against resulting in them transferring schools or dropping out completely.
To operationalize this mission, the faculty, staff and administration came together setting goals surrounding student enrollment and retainage specifically for underrepresented groups.  The faculty have common language surrounding EDI within all course syllabi and encourage all their students to help make the classroom environment more welcoming and inclusive to all. They have all agreed to participate in EDI initiatives in some way and to have that participation be a part of their annual performance review. In 2017, they created the first office of EDI and hired an Assistant Chancellor of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion to lead the effort.
UWEC has also developed a 12-week training program called Circles of Change to start an open in-person dialogue about race throughout the region the university is located within. Launched as a pilot in the Spring of 2017, the fall of 2017 had more than 120 people participating in Circles of Change action groups, gathering weekly to discuss race relations on campus and in the community. “The goal is to help make the Chippewa Valley a more welcoming place for everyone ”.  
As discussed in Chapter 2, some people have unconscious biases and stereotypical beliefs that can lead to making poor decisions. This can be magnified by instances of bias on college campuses. Many colleges and universities across the country have implemented freshman orientation programs to help students transition into college life and to make them feel welcome.