FSS/PPS 04.12 - FSS Policy for Diversity

POLICY STATEMENT

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

1. DEFINITIONS

   1. Diversity – a measure of each person’s uniqueness. These unique identities include, but are not limited to, 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, gender identity, gender expression, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make people unique.

   2. Equity – the fair treatment, access, and advancement of employees. Every individual varies in experience and perspective. The goal is to utilize individual’s dynamic experiences to strengthen the workforce of Texas State University.

   3. Inclusion – an ongoing practice and awareness to ensure an environment where individuals are valued for their unique and individual talents, ideas, and perspectives is maintained.

2. DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN THE DIVISION OF FINANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES

   1. The division of Finance and Support Services (FSS) recognizes that employees are valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences – life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent – that people invest in their work represents a significant part of the division’s culture, reputation, and achievement. FSS embraces and encourages differences in age, race, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make employees unique.

      The purpose of this FSS policy is to foster an environment that ensures:

      1. groups, as well as individuals, are included for their differences;

      2. employees understand and include the backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives of different groups but also leverage the uniqueness of each individual;

      3. employees reach beyond their own experiences to work effectively with people different from themselves; and

      4. all employees receive support for reaching their full potential in pursuit of university initiatives.

   2. The division of FSS recognizes that diversity requires a commitment to creating an inclusive environment, knowledge of personal biases, and information about the people interacted with while conducting university business.

      Each member of FSS is a representative of the division’s collective values. By including and valuing differences, employees demonstrate commitment to treating everyone with civility, fairness, and respect. It is vital that all FSS employees set the standard for uniformly consistent university policies, procedures, regulations, work rules, and requirements.

      The division of FSS is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and facilitation of an environment that fosters inclusion. Central to that pursuit is the guiding principle of treating everyone with civility, respect, and fairness. To encourage all employees uphold this principle of respect, in accordance with UPPS No. 04.04.46, Prohibition of Discrimination, the division of FSS actively promotes providing equal opportunities to all employees.

      When actions and behaviors are found to violate this pursuit, the appropriate division administrator will take prompt action, in accordance with UPPS No. 04.04.40, Disciplining and Terminating Staff Employees.

3. GOALS FOR THE DIVISION OF FINANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES

   1. The division of FSS will establish inclusion, value diversity, and promote equity as core values that are practiced and communicated.

   2. The division of FSS will embrace equity, diversity, and inclusion principles to ensure fair representation and treatment of all persons.

   3. The division of FSS will establish a strategic plan for integrating diversity, inclusion, and equity principles into all divisional operations, customer service, and daily interactions.

   4. The division of FSS will ensure equal employment opportunity and will encourage professional development for all people, with an emphasis in gaining diversity-related skills and taking steps toward building inclusive work environments.

   5. The division of FSS will create a divisional culture that fosters individual understanding and accountability for inclusion of people’s differences.

4. STRATEGY

   1. It is the goal of the division of FSS to create an atmosphere of inclusion, thereby increasing the consciousness and appreciation of diversity, by demonstrating the respect for the uniqueness of individuals. This will be done by:

      1. acknowledging the diverse demographics of constituents and the workforce. The division of FSS commits to recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting highly capable and productive employees to be more responsive to the service needs of constituents. To achieve this goal, the division of FSS will combine the principles of equity, inclusion, and diversity and will build and maintain inclusive and supportive work environments to ensure all individuals achieve their full potential.

      2. creating initiatives that address diversity and include the full participation of all employees. The division of FSS is committed to providing excellent customer service, and this can only be achieved by fostering a workforce that values and reflects the diversity of society.

      3. providing training opportunities for managers and supervisors to learn diversity-related skills, understanding the value of creating an inclusive workplace, and instilling an expectation that all employees will work in an environment that supports their ability to do their best work every day.

5. REVIEWERS OF THIS PPS

   1. Reviewers of this PPS include the following:

      Position	Date
      Chair, FSS Diversity Committee	December 1 E3Y
      Assistant Vice President for Human Resources	December 1 E3Y

6. CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

   This PPS has been approved by the following individuals in their official capacities and represents Texas State Finance and Support Services policy and procedure from the date of this document until superseded.

   Chair, FSS Diversity Committee; co-senior reviewer of this PPS

   Assistant Vice President for Human Resources; co-senior reviewer of this PPS

   Vice President for Finance and Support Services