Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access

The RBS IDEA Office (formerly the Office of Diversity Programs) was established in 2013 and is strategically located within the RBS Office of the Dean. This office helps create and sustain a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all RBS community members, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni, where we can study, learn and prepare future leaders to courageously serve the needs of our diverse society.

The RBS IDEA Office is built on four pillars:

Inclusion

means everyone has the same rights and ability to participate and contribute. Inclusive environments are ones where an individual’s social identity (who one is) does not determine what one can accomplish. In inclusive environments, there will not be substantial inequality in terms of representation, rights, and resources across social identity groups and members of all groups will be invited to participate, feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.

Diversity

refers to differences that make a difference in life chances, drawing from the variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. Such differences may relate to the complex and increasingly blurred intersectionality of race, ethnicity, gender and gender identity, age, religion, language, disability status, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, geographic region, ways of thinking, and more.

Equity

involves ensuring rightful access to opportunities, resources, rewards, and advancement for all students, faculty, and staff at every stage of their education and career development.  Equity guarantees full participation to the extent of an individual’s potential, desire, and capabilities.

Access

refers to how institutions and policies enable entry and ensure or at least work to ensure equal and equitable opportunities. Increasing access generally requires institutions to provide additional services or remove any actual or potential barriers that might inhibit inclusive environments.

RBS Pathways Leading to Undergraduate & Graduate Success (PLUS) is a portfolio of programs and initiatives designed to help students from historically underrepresented and underserved backgrounds leverage their diversity through dynamic inter-group dialogue and enriching co-curricular activities. These programs range from pre-college to graduate-level opportunities and are designed to enrich our diverse student body's academic, personal, and professional development.