ARC Institutional Equity Plan
The Institutional Equity Plan provides the framework for ARC’s ongoing efforts to actualize its institution-wide commitment to equity and social justice. It identifies areas for continuing growth and improvement as well as creating a shared understanding of what equity means at American River College
The plan proposes a foundation for this work as well as exploring the opportunities and challenges that surfaced in dialogue with stakeholders. This plan should be considered a living document that is regularly visited, evaluated, and adapted. The project team was comprised of a group of students, staff, faculty and administrators who contributed their efforts to development of the ARC Institutional Equity Plan.
Institutional Equity Plan Introduction
The Institutional Equity Plan Project Team invested nine months deeply examining the college community’s environment, assets, and needs in order to create a three-to-five year plan with the goals of improving equity, access, and success at American River College (ARC). The team consulted with hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and administrators to create a plan that is rooted in principles and values of equity, social justice, inclusion, and liberation. This plan is not intended as a prescriptive list of actions to produce specific results, but rather a guiding framework with recommendations to transform the institution and those who work and exist within it.
The project team acknowledges that there are many positive equity-focused efforts currently in action; nonetheless, the college aspires towards continuous growth and improvement of outcomes and experiences for those who are disproportionately impacted and marginalized in society and on campus. The overarching goal of the plan is to improve the climate, so that the ARC community is in a better place in five years. Recognizing that this plan will not eliminate all systemic injustice (e.g., racism, sexism), it will identify those systems and norms in the organizational context; challenge the historical and societal forces; and seek to create methods to actively push against injustices.
Timeline
2017
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Digital Equity Workgroup is Established
Strategic Plan adopted
Commitment to Equity and Social Justice approved
2018
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ARC, and all Los Rios colleges, join the Equity cohort of Online Education Initiative
Project team develops an institutional equity plan
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Students First
The College engages and connects students early and often to people, programs, and services as an integrated educational experience. By providing personalized, proactive support, the College fosters relationships that ensure all students, particularly the historically.
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Clear and Effective Paths
The College provides easily recognizable pathways to, through, and beyond ARC. Offering well defined and supported pathways provides a foundation for success as students enter the College, make timely progress toward achieving their informed educational goals, and seamlessly transfer to other colleges and universities or find employment in their chosen career.
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Exemplary Teaching, Learning, & Working Environment
The College ensures an equitable, safe, and inclusive teaching, learning, and working environment. Culturally relevant curriculum, innovative, high-quality instructional methods and technologies, exemplary academic and student support services, and comprehensive and integrated professional development create the best conditions for teaching and learning. The College promotes liberation and honors the dignity, humanity, and contributions of all members of our community.
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Vibrancy and Resiliency
The College promotes a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and transparent communication. Proactive, effective, and efficient operational systems and governance and data-informed approaches to planning, decision-making, and resource allocation provide a high level of service to our students, community, and to one another.
2019
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Institutional Equity Plan approved. Dean of Equity and Inclusion hired
Equity-themed Convocation with keynote address by Dr. J. Luke Wood
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Disproportionate Impact Team: African American, LatinX, Native American
Disproportionate Impact Team: American River College (ARC) launched a project to investigate the experiences of disproportionately impacted groups including African American, LatinX, and Native American students. This endeavor was intended to result in actionable strategies that provide a starting point for eradicating barriers and increasing equitable outcomes.
2020
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Project team develops professional development recommendations aligned to Institutional Equity Plan. Campus Climate Survey completed.
Project team develops recommendations for improving equitable education for disproportionately impacted student populations
Dr. Cynthia Olivo participates in American River College Executive Planning Session.