4.7 Strategic Diversity Plan

The purpose of the Strategic Diversity Plan is to define and clearly identify, within a legally sustainable structure, goals, and measurable outcomes for diversity at the University of South Alabama. The University recognizes and values the contributions made by African-American and other under-represented populations and desires to make the University an even more attractive and inclusive place for people of all races, ethnicities, faiths and cultures to study and work in a supportive, diverse community.

The University is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our human capital is our most valuable asset. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only the University’s culture, but its reputation and achievement as well.

The University embraces and encourages our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

The University’s diversity initiatives are applicable—but not limited—to our practices and policies on recruitment and selection; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; promotions; transfers; social and recreational programs; layoffs; terminations; and the ongoing development of a work environment built on the premise of gender and diversity equity that encourages and enforces:

  • Respectful communication and cooperation between all employees.

  • Teamwork and employee participation, permitting the representation of all groups and employee perspectives.

  • Work/life balance through flexible work schedules to accommodate employees’ varying needs.

  • Employer and employee contributions to the communities we serve to promote a greater understanding and respect for the diversity.

All employees of the University have a responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect. All employees are expected to exhibit conduct that reflects inclusion during work, at work functions on or off the work site, and at all other company-sponsored and participative events. All employees are also required to attend and complete annual diversity awareness training to enhance their knowledge to fulfill this responsibility.

Any employee found to have exhibited any inappropriate conduct or behavior against others may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

Employees who believe they have been subjected to any kind of discrimination that conflicts with the University’s diversity policy and initiatives should seek assistance from a supervisor or an HR representative. 

The full plan is available here: USA Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion