An update on the work of La Salle’s Joint Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Now that the work of La Salle University’s Joint Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has culminated, the University’s justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) strategic planning process is now beginning.

Formed in September 2020 to advance the University’s JEDI commitment, the La Salle’s Joint Commission delivered a briefing to La Salle’s Faculty Senate Executive Committee, Executive Cabinet, and Board of Trustees. The Commission and its more than three-dozen members produced and shared with these internal stakeholders a comprehensive report replete with recommendations for University consideration intended to enrich La Salle’s campus culture and environment, and support institutional strategic planning. The Commission’s report brought forth data, research, best practices, and recommendations.

To build on the work of the Joint Commission, the University will launch a JEDI strategic planning process ahead of the University’s next strategic plan, Interim President Tim O’Shaughnessy, ’85, and Swee-Lim Chia, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Co-Chair of Marketing President, said in a joint message last summer to the University community.

“This process will include a thorough review and contemplation of the Joint Commission’s report, Begin Again: Truth and Transformation, and further engagement with various University constituents, in order to prioritize and operationalize our JEDI work,” the message said.

The Commission’s work required contributions of time, talents, resources, and perspectives from its members, and the candor and testimony of members of the University community through listening sessions and responses to a campus climate survey, which helped focus the Commission’s work.

The immediate next phase of La Salle’s work in this area features the implementation of several initiatives, highlighted by the dedication of new resources, including at least one staff position, to oversee the University’s JEDI work. Among the other initiatives are revisions to existing University policies and documents on equal employment opportunity, anti-harassment, and faculty and staff recruitment and retention. The University also will create a bias response team process that is streamlined and forward-facing.

With the culmination of the Joint Commission’s work, the Office of Mission, Diversity, and Inclusion will oversee the planning of La Salle’s JEDI strategic planning process.

O’Shaughnessy and Chia thanked the Joint Commission’s co-chairs for shepherding the nine-month effort. The co-chairs were: Luisa Marcela Ossa, Ph.D., associate professor and area coordinator of Spanish; Shakeya Currie Foreman, J.D., assistant general counsel; and Br. Ernest J. Miller, FSC, D.Min, M.A. ’95, Vice President of Mission, Diversity, and Inclusion.

In their University-wide message, they also expressed gratitude to the Joint Commission’s members, which included current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and Christian Brothers.

“Over these last nine months, we have learned a great deal about our past through the personal experiences and perspectives of those in our community, as they relate to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging,” they wrote in the University message. “These aforementioned efforts and contributions, collectively, have revealed that we undoubtedly have work to do. Drawing on the fruitfulness of the Lasallian heritage, and our mission and core values, La Salle University is prepared to move forward in its goal of achieving a more just and equitable academic, professional, and social environment.”