Information and Resources for a Welcoming and Inclusive Campus

The following information and references to campus resources follows IUPUI’s town hall meeting on November 14, 2016, and reflects current information as of January 18, 2017.

1. What is the campus’s response to the “IUPUI as Sanctuary Campus” petition?

On Nov. 22, 2016, Chancellor Paydar responded formally on behalf of the IUPUI campus to the petition. In his letter, the chancellor indicated that IUPUI remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring a welcoming, safe, civil, and inclusive community for all students, faculty, and staff members, regardless of immigration status. Moreover, on Nov. 22, in a letter to IUPUI students who are participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Chancellor Paydar offered additional assurance of IUPUI’s commitment to support all of its students, regardless of immigration status. The campus will continue to monitor closely any developments in federal policy on immigration, and the DACA program in particular, in the new year.

As a public institution that is bound by federal and state laws, IUPUI is able to, and will, take several steps to support all IUPUI students, regardless of personal characteristics or documentation. IUPUI stands in support of all students and will comply with all federal and state laws. IUPUI respects the privacy of all students equally, in their studies, work, and personal lives, and protects the privacy of student records as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). IUPUI’s commitment and details regarding steps IUPUI is able to, and will, take to support all students are available on this site: Information for DACA and Undocumented Students at IUPUI.

For faculty and staff, “DACA Student Resources” is available in Canvas, the university’s learning management system. To receive an invitation to enroll, send an email message to daca@iupui.edu.

Indiana University expects to launch an external DACA site in spring semester 2017.

2. What will IUPUI do in the event that ICE or Homeland Security asks the university to release information about the immigration status of students or employees? Would the campus, at a minimum, provide teachers the right to remain silent concerning the immigration status of our students?

IUPUI respects the privacy of all students equally, in their studies, work, and personal lives, and protects the privacy of student records as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Absent a court-issued subpoena, IUPUI faculty and staff are under no affirmative duty or obligation to report undocumented or DACA students to the immigration authorities. In fact, the unsolicited disclosure of certain personal information about a student to a third party could be a violation of FERPA. All legal questions, requests from government agencies, and subpoenas should be directed to the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel.

3. What can I do as a teacher to allow my students to exercise their First Amendment rights while at the same time providing them with a safe space to learn?

According to IUPUI’s Civility Statement, “our institutional ethic compels us to foster the best possible environment for doing our work as educators, learners, and supporters of the educational process.” All members of the campus community must do their part to ensure a diverse and inclusive campus, an environment in which civil discourse can flourish and promote understanding. Faculty, in particular, have the ability to establish safe places in their classrooms and to set the tone for civil discourse in the classroom. They can also work with their students to set guidelines and foster a climate of acceptance, mutual respect, and academic freedom.

Resources for Faculty:

Reviewing the university’s Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct is a first step in taking a proactive approach to creating a classroom environment that supports the basic rights of all students. Guidelines for dealing with disturbances in a teaching/learning context that disrupt the primary function of the university are presented in “Guidelines for Dealing with Disruptive Students in Academic Settings” (adopted by University Faculty Council, April 12, 2005): http://www.iu.edu/~ufc/docs/policies/DisruptiveStudents.pdf.

The Center for Teaching and Learning provides workshops, readings, tip sheets, video recordings, and online modules to inform teaching practices. The CTL’s Classroom Management resource page, for example, includes suggestions for creating a constructive learning environment and handling disruptive student behavior. The CTL also provides instructional consultations, classroom observations, and student focus groups to support faculty and to provide feedback on teaching and classroom environments.

Center for Teaching and Learning
http://ctl.iupui.edu/

317-274-1300
thectl@iupui.edu

Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

The mission of the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is to educate, advocate, engage, and empower the IUPUI community by cultivating partnerships and resources to create and sustain an environment that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse.

Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
https://diversity.iupui.edu/

317-278-3820
dei@iupui.edu

Within DEI, the following offices and centers provide access to expertise, resources, and programs for the campus community:

The Office of Intercultural Literacy, Capacity and Engagement (ILCE) coordinates personalized workshops, discussions, and programming designed to provide the knowledge, skills, and tools for individuals to work across differences. DEI has trainers who are experts in having difficult conversations — on racism, implicit bias, homophobia, etc. Among its offerings is a list of curriculum resources.

Intercultural Leadership, Capacity and Engagement
https://diversity.iupui.edu/offices/ilce/index.html

317-274-4511
Courtney Elkin Mohler, director
comohler@iupui.edu

The LGBTQ+ Center supports a commitment to leadership development; academic inquiry; and local, national, and global engagement with particular respect to sexual, romantic, and gender identities. The LGBTQ+ Center is an inclusive campus community that welcomes people of all identities and provides support, resources, and advocacy to IUPUI students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the surrounding community.

LGBTQ+ Center
http://lgbtqcenter.iupui.edu

317-278-8333
Tristan N. Vaught, director 
TNVaught@iupui.edu

The IUPUI Multicultural Center supports students, faculty, and the community by promoting the value of diversity; broadening multicultural awareness and sensitivity; advancing cultural competence; and encouraging cross-cultural collaborative relationships through education, advocacy, and research. The Multicultural Center provides an array of programs and services to enhance the value of diversity at IUPUI and in the surrounding community: programs, events, and cultural heritage months; peer-education workshops; diversity education; and financial support/resources.

IUPUI Multicultural Center
https://diversity.iupui.edu/offices/mc/index.html

317-274-2815
Khalilah A. Shabazz, director 
mciupui@iupui.edu

The Office for Women provides resources and access to communities such as the Multicultural Pedagogy Research Group, which discusses and develops tools to improve multicultural pedagogy and learning.

Office for Women
https://ofw.iupui.edu

317-278-3600
women@iupui.edu

Within the Office of Community Engagement, the Center for Service and Learning provides teaching and curriculum-development resources, research opportunities, and a bridge for linking with the community in support of developing civic-mindedness among IUPUI students.

Center for Service & Learning

317-278-2662
csl@iupui.edu

4. How is IUPUI protecting students’ rights, as well as those of other groups who come to speak here?

Open dialogue is central to academic freedom and our educational mission, and it shapes and reflects our intellectual community at IUPUI. The Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct ensures that students’ rights are protected, including the right to freedom of association, expression, advocacy, and publication. If a student feels that this right has been violated, the student may file a request with the dean of students for an investigation and appropriate action.

IUPUI is a public institution; therefore, others may exercise their right to gather for peaceful demonstrations on campus. If there are concerns requiring immediate attention (potentially criminal activity or violent, threatening, or imminent suicidal behavior), contact the University Police (911 or 317-274-7911).

Dean of Students, IUPUI Division of Student Affairs
http://studentaffairs.iupui.edu/student-rights/dean.shtml
Jason T. Spratt
Dean of Students

317-274-4431
jtspratt@iupui.edu

IUPUI Police Department
http://www.police.iupui.edu/

On-campus emergencies: 317-274-7911
Telephone: 317-274-2058

5. What is the university doing to determine what is offensive or hateful? How is the decision made?

The Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct offers guidance for decision-making with respect to messages and conduct that have “the purpose or effect of unreasonably creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for academic pursuits, housing, or participation in university activities.” The university also has the responsibility for promoting a safe, respectful, and productive work environment for its employees. When messages posted on campus become discriminatory or harassing, in violation of the code, our Campus Facility Services personnel are authorized to remove the messages.

Maintaining this safe and productive environment at IUPUI relies on all members of the community who experience, observe, or hear of harassing or threatening conduct or messages to report the situation. IUPUI will be implementing a web-based bias-reporting form in 2017. Reports may also be made to the following:

Office of Student Conduct
Brian Tomlinson
Assistant Dean and Director of Student Conduct, Deputy Title IX Coordinator

317-274-4431
betomlin@iupui.edu
[Report concerns regarding Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct; Incident Reporting]

IUPUI’s Behavioral Consultation Team (BCT) is a campuswide team designed to support the health, safety, and success of the IUPUI community. The BCT provides consultation, makes recommendations for action, and coordinates campus resources in response to reports of disruptive or concerning behavior displayed by students, staff, or faculty.

Behavioral Consultation Team
https://bct.iupui.edu/
Concerned Persons Referral Form
Or call:
317-274-2548
317-274-4431
Ask for "Coordinating Member of BCT"

6. What are the repercussions of complaints about violations of the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct or of IUPUI’s harassment and discrimination policies?

The Office of Equal Opportunity is responsible for investigating all complaints of harassment and discrimination at IUPUI. Complaints will be handled promptly, with the purpose of an equitable resolution. OEO consults the Division of Student Affairs on complaints concerning students; the Office of Academic Affairs on faculty-related complaints; and the Office of Human Resources Administration on non-faculty employment-related issues.

Student violations of the code are addressed through the Office of Student Conduct in the Division of Student Affairs. Information about disciplinary procedures for student conduct is available at http://studentaffairs.iupui.edu/student-rights/student-code/disciplinary.shtml.

7. Can we continue to count on access to and development of strong liberal arts programs to teach/help people to process issues such as the election?

Access to and development of strong liberal arts programs is essential to the provision of a liberal education and the backbone of all undergraduate programs at IUPUI. Campus funding formulas support the School of Liberal Arts commensurate with other programs on campus.  

8. Would the campus be opposed to a volunteer-based student organization committed to helping students feel safe when walking through campus?

The Division of Student Affairs provides guidance for IUPUI’s student organizations through its Student Organization Resource Team and can advise on creation of new student organizations. Student groups and organizations must comply with all federal, state, and local laws as well as with university policies. For a student organization related to public safety, the IUPUI Police Department would also be consulted.

Student Organization Resource Team
http://studentaffairs.iupui.edu/involved/student-orgs/index.shtml

317-274-8477
stuact@iupui.edu

IUPUI’s Safewalk Program, provided by IUPUI police 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is a safe and reliable alternative to walking alone at night around the campus community and beyond. Safewalk is free of charge and is available to any member of the surrounding community—undergraduates, graduate students, staff, faculty, and members of the public.

Between the hours of 6 p.m. and midnight, extra police employees are on duty to provide walking escorts anywhere on campus. Outside of those hours, on-duty IUPUI police and security officers are available to serve as walking escorts.

To request a Safewalk escort, call 317-274-7233 (SAFE).

9. In what ways can faculty become allies to our students?

The LGBTQ+ Center provides Safe Zone Ally training and educational workshops. The LGBTQ+ Center is also developing an ally list of faculty and staff who are actively committed to diversity and inclusion, mutual respect, and safety for all people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expression.

LGBTQ+ Center
http://lgbtqcenter.iupui.edu
Tristan N. Vaught, director
Pronouns: they, them, their

317-278-8333
TNVaught@iupui.edu

10. What is the campus doing to address issues on campus for individuals with disabilities?

Indiana University is committed to creating a learning environment and academic community that promotes educational opportunities for all individuals, including those with disabilities.

IUPUI Adaptive Educational Services (AES) is the office dedicated to working with students with documented disabilities to ensure that these students receive the appropriate accommodations so they have an equal opportunity to be successful at higher education. Among its goals, AES serves as an advocate for students with disabilities, working as a mediator with faculty over classroom issues and with administrators regarding campus policies and encouraging the university to expand its vision and policies regarding persons with disabilities.

IUPUI continues to monitor and implement measures to ensure that students, staff, faculty, and visitors with disabilities have the necessary resources and facilities. Working with the professionals in AES, Finance and Administration, and Academic Affairs, the campus is determined to make improvements each year.

IUPUI Adaptive Educational Services
http://aes.iupui.edu/
Pam King, director

Tel: 317-274-3241
Videophone: (317) 278-2052
Fax: 317-278-2051
aes@iupui.edu

11. How can members of the IUPUI community find information about IUPUI’s services and resources and continue to promote open discussion of current issues?

Within the IUPUI campus community, there are a number of opportunities for dialogue on issues and idea-sharing. Events organized by schools and units, as well as by faculty, staff, and student groups, are usually publicized via campuswide communication vehicles managed by IU Communications, including the IUPUI website (News & Events); Inside IUPUI (on the web and via email); the campuswide newsletter JagNews; and IUPUI’s closed-circuit communication system, JagTV. News and information about events is also shared via IUPUI social networks.

Critical Conversations, sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Literacy, Capacity and Engagement, is an academic-year activity that enables participants to engage in discussion of a timely issue over the lunch hour. Open to IUPUI students, staff, and faculty and the Indianapolis community, the sessions take place with a new topic on the first Wednesday of each month (except January, when school is not in session) at noon in UL 1126.

Organized by the Office of the Chancellor and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Chancellor’s Diversity Lecture Series brings in notable speakers from different backgrounds to share their experiences with the IUPUI campus community. Featured speakers during fall semester 2016 included Pedro Noguera, professor of education at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA, and Wes Moore, a youth advocate, Army combat veteran, promising business leader, and author. Noor Tagouri, an associate journalist for CBS radio, will speak on Thursday, Feb. 16.

During election years, the Office of Community Engagement sponsors debates and discussions with local candidates that provide campus and community members the opportunity to pose questions to politicians seeking office. In non-election years, the office hosts informational sessions on campus with Indiana state representatives where important information about recent and upcoming legislation is discussed.

12. What is being done to protect our community (with respect to religious freedom from bias)?

As a public institution that is bound by federal and state laws, IUPUI is able to, and will, take several steps to support all students, regardless of country of origin or religious beliefs. IUPUI will closely monitor federal efforts and policies that purport to monitor individuals from certain countries/religious backgrounds. Anyone who experiences, observes, or hears of harassing or threatening conduct or messages should report the situation to the following:

Office of Student Conduct
Brian Tomlinson
Assistant Dean and Director of Student Conduct, Deputy Title IX Coordinator 

317-274-4431
betomlin@iupui.edu
[Report concerns regarding Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities & Conduct; Incident Reporting]

13. Where can international students and scholars turn for assistance?

International students and scholars seeking transition support, expert advising, and visa services are encouraged to contact the Office of International Affairs (OIA). OIA provides counseling and support to students and scholars on immigration-related concerns and provides referrals to attorneys on immigration-related legal issues, including attorneys who work for reduced or no fee. OIA works closely with the Indiana University Office of the Vice President and General Counsel to serve IUPUI’s international students, scholars, and professionals.

IUPUI Office of International Affairs
http://international.iupui.edu/

317-274-7000
oia@iupui.edu

Indiana University Office of the Vice President & General Counsel
https://vpgc.iu.edu/
Immigration Services
https://vpgc.iu.edu/our-services/immigration/index.html
Angela Adams, Associate General Counsel

317-274-7460
aadams2@iu.edu

Other Campus Resources:

IUPUI Counseling & Psychological Services
http://studentaffairs.iupui.edu/health-wellness/counseling-psychology/

317-274-2548
capsindy@iupui.edu

Student Advocate
http://studentaffairs.iupui.edu/student-rights/student-advocate/

317-274-4431
stuadvoc@iupui.edu