Cross-Campus Initiatives

The Office of Diversity & Inclusion works as an extension of the dean to increase the hiring and advancement of underrepresented groups in the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). In addition, the office advocates for and supports a culture in which inclusion is appreciated and nurtured as a central priority across the Division’s departments and programs. The work focuses on not just race and ethnicity, but also the ways sexuality, gender, class, and religion impact our community. The BSD believes that the study of science and the practice of medicine are enhanced when scholars, clinicians, and staff can insert their full perspectives into the work that they do.

Chicago Booth believes great ideas have many different fingerprints. The best ideas arrive from a student body with diverse backgrounds and multiple perspectives. It is this philosophy that has facilitated its long-standing commitment to diversity. Diversity is essential to creating an environment where students and scholars can continue to generate and refine ideas that truly impact the world in which we live. This is accomplished through active recruitment and support of underrepresented students of color, women, and LGBTQ through to hosting admissions events and partnering with several organizations to reach and attract the best students and brightest minds.

The Center for College Student Success (CCSS) empowers first-generation, lower-income, and immigrant students in the College, providing resources and tools that promote student success, and programming and community events that build positive self-identity and a sense of belonging.

In 2005, the Division the Social Sciences launched a new initiative to support students of color in graduate programs and to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in faculty positions in higher education. Building on a collaboration with six other institutions and a dedicated SBE task force, the division has been steadily increasing the number of underrepresented students, year after year.

The Division of the Social Sciences is committed to the recruitment and retention of students of color in social science disciplines and their subsequent movement into the professoriate.

As part of the University’s commitment to supporting students, the First-generation, Low-income, Immigrant (FLI) Network was established as a joint initiative between the Center for College Student Success (CCSS) and the Center for Identity and Inclusion (CI+I).

The FLI Network connects students, faculty, administrators, and alumni who identify as first-generation, low-income, or immigrant (regardless of immigration status) and allies with the goal of creating a community of support. The FLI Network creates opportunities for members to learn from one another.

The Harris School of Public Policy is committed to fostering a school community that not only welcomes and respects divergent perspectives, but actively reaches out to engage students, faculty, and staff from a wide range of backgrounds.

The Institute of Politics (IOP) is a nonpartisan organization that seeks to inspire and develop the political leaders of tomorrow. Through its community outreach, the IOP works to increase diversity of political viewpoints and discourse, while actively seeking to increase inclusion for underrepresented groups in the political process. 

A few examples of IOP’s work include:

Leaders of Color

Leaders of Color aims to increase the participation of minority students in leadership opportunities across campus and beyond by giving students the skills they need to attain internships and leadership positions. 

Women in Public Service Program

The Women in Public Service Program aims to empower and prepare women-identifying students for careers in public service and related fields while building a strong peer network.

Bridging the Divide

Bridging the Divide is a public service leadership program that attempts to address the growing political chasm and promote a deeper understanding of and between urban and rural communities. 

The Law School is committed to the mission of promoting a learning environment that is welcoming and inclusive for all students both inside and outside of the classroom. Through programs, initiatives, and affinity groups, the Law School works to increase diversity, inclusion and equity across the school. 

No Barriers is an innovative program that broadens access by greatly simplifying the admission application and financial aid process. No Barriers is part of the College’s wider effort to reinforce the distinctive rigorous liberal arts education and unparalleled career preparation that UChicago provides for students of all backgrounds and economic circumstances.

It operates under four tenets:

• No application fee, more application flexibility
• No loans
• Funded opportunities
• Lifelong career support

Odyssey works to close the gap between merit and achievement with a comprehensive model comprised of academic support, financial aid, and career development initiatives aimed at hard-working students with financial need.

The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the Physical Sciences Division aims to help address diversity and climate-related challenges across faculty, other academic appointee, staff, postdoc, and student ranks. Guided by a strategic plan spanning a period of five years, we will collaborate with units and partners to create and implement tailored plans, programs, and activities to further impact diversity and promote inclusion.

The role of the School of Social Service Administration Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity (IED) Committee is to develop, guide, and advance initiatives that build and strengthen the educational, organizational, and institutional climate of the School of Social Service Administration with respect to inclusion, equity, and diversity.

The IED committee’s mission and values involve a commitment to:

• Transparency and open communication
• Inclusivity with representation in decision-making and governance
• Accountability through feedback loops and systems of checks and balances
• Community building as a model for governance
• Engagement and interconnectedness
• Accessibility

The Urban Health Initiative (UHI) is the University of Chicago Medical Center’s long-term commitment to improving health and access to quality care for the South Side of Chicago through patient care, community-based research, and medical education. UHI is working to establish strong, lasting relationships with civic leaders, community organizations, health care providers, and residents to develop a comprehensive health care system that is rooted in collaboration.