The College of Medicine - Tucson Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity Dimensions
In order to enhance the diversity of our academic community, to ensure inclusiveness in hiring and retaining qualified faculty and staff, and to admit qualified and culturally competent students, the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson (UACOM – T) has collaboratively developed and adopted a Diversity Statement, which demonstrates its commitment to a broad definition of diversity. To implement that commitment, the college is engaging in meaningful outreach efforts to optimize the pool of diverse faculty and staff applicants, and to attract a diverse student body. The UACOM – T is making efforts to develop specific approaches to measure its success in recruiting, retaining and attracting diverse individuals to the college’s faculty, staff and student body by identifying certain measurable characteristics within these groups.
For admitted students, the specific criteria on which the UACOM - T is measuring its success in increasing diversity not only in the classroom setting, but also as these students graduate and move through their residencies and medical careers include: socioeconomic disadvantage, first generation college attendees, rural and US/Mexico border origin, individuals from racial and ethnic groups who are traditionally underrepresented in medicine, with specific focus on Latino/Hispanic and Native Americans. Qualified individuals who are registered members of federally recognized Native American tribes may be given additional support and consideration both in the admissions process and in granting financial aid. Race, ethnicity and gender are not considered in making admissions or financial aid decisions, however, UACOM – T considers these and other specified criteria in measuring success in terms of student and faculty retention, in developing culturally competent educational and development programs, and in liaison activities with community organizations.
For faculty and staff, the specific criteria on which UACOM – T is measuring its success in increasing diversity include growing the numbers of women and members of racial and ethnic minorities traditionally underrepresented in medicine with specific focus on Latino/Hispanic and Native Americans through appropriate outreach and support activities. Although race, ethnicity and gender are not considered in making hiring decisions, they are evaluated as measures of the College’s success in widening its pool of qualified applicants and in retaining qualified individuals after hire. These criteria can be identified by examining post-hire documents to determine whether UACOM – T's diversity goals are being met. Additionally, UACOM – T will develop surveys so that individuals can self-identify other criteria that fall within UACOM – T’s diversity statement. The college also aspires to develop programs that will increase the number of faculty and staff who demonstrate cultural competency and bilingual abilities.
Policy Document: 2019-09_diversity_dimensions_policy_.pdf