Salve Regina continues diversity efforts through new mission statements, summit

The Salve Regina community recently came together to prepare mission and vision statements that reflect the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). As an institution devoted to its mercy mission, these statements reflect the heart of the University community’s efforts to expand on these principles and ideals.

Below are the official statements.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mission Statement 

Salve Regina University strives to cultivate belonging values through diversity, equity and inclusion in order to foster a welcoming culture for our staff, faculty and students, as well as the wider community.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Vision Statement 

Salve Regina University embraces all people with grace. No matter the path traveled to get here, the University acknowledges that many identities will intersect. Salve Regina belongs to all in its community—regardless of one’s race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender, ability, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, cultural background, nationality or immigration status. Confronting the needs of our time and acknowledging the historical oppressions of various groups, our campus embraces diversity in all forms by actively promoting a culture of inclusiveness and striving for justice in our actions as a reflection of our mission and the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy.

Silence speaks volumes. Yesterday, today and in this moment, inaction is a form of acceptance. Salve Regina University will work relentlessly to ensure that we are striving towards a community that is not perfect, but is continuously evolving in our day-to-day work, our faith, our studies and our actions.

Through service, teaching, leadership and community involvement, Salve Regina University will reflect the best that we wish to see in this world. The University’s Board of Trustees and the administration are dedicated to promoting inclusivity and embracing accountability within the campus community. Salve Regina’s commitment will also be shown through academic programming; student, staff and faculty development; and continued assessment as new needs arise. As a community, these actions will leave a legacy that instills the creation of a more harmonious, just and merciful world.

Mercy Summit on Equity and Inclusion

With the above ideals in mind, the University is about to host its second annual Mercy Summit on Equity and Inclusion on Friday, April 8, in the O’Hare Academic Building. This full-day event is sponsored by the Presidential Commission on Equity and Inclusion, and it is the commission’s hope that the summit will see wide participation from the campus community.

The Mercy Summit on Equity and Inclusion will feature a variety of sessions that provide opportunities to interact on a range of engaging topics — including the keynote speaker, Dr. Regine Jean-Charles, who will discuss “Notes on Belonging: Making Justice the Center of DEI” at 9 a.m. in the Bazarsky Lecture Hall.

To learn more and register for the summit, go here.