University of Houston Athletics Announces Initiatives Focused on Diversity and Inclusion

POSTED: June 17, 2020 -- 5:15 p.m. CT

The University of Houston Athletics Department announced on Wednesday a series of initiatives that focus on diversity, inclusion, social responsibility and ending systemic racism.

The athletics department's diversity and inclusion council – Coogs' All-In – made up of ten staff members and student-athletes, will lead the implementation effort during the 2020-21 academic year and continue to look to expand initiatives in the future.

These efforts are intended to further enhance a culture of diversity and inclusion that is focused on making sustainable changes to our community, state and nation.

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Coogs' All-In Mission Statement:

To cultivate, foster and promote a diverse and inclusive culture of excellence through accessibility and equity in opportunities, education and resources for University of Houston Athletics.

Goals:
• Provide UH Athletics administrators, coaches, staff, student-athletes and the campus community with diversity and inclusion-related programming and resources on a year-round basis
• Collaborate with various communities on and off-campus to help ensure equitable participation in scheduled and new athletics and non-athletics events in efforts to support the personal and professional development of our administrators, coaches, staff, and student-athletes
• Ensure the embracement of differences remains an important aspect of UH Athletics through ongoing department-wide, dialogues about relevant issues including race, ethnicity, gender, language, background, physical challenges, religious beliefs, sexual orientation and lifestyle

Initiatives for 2020-21 Academic Year:
• Annual Diversity and Inclusion training for all student-athletes, coaches, and staff.
• Creation of a support panel and forum for student-athletes that involves guest speakers
• "The Broken Table" - Led by FCA director Joe Thompson (FCA), the monthly series with focus on race relations among our university community, city, state and nation.
• Bi-monthly workshops available to student-athletes, coaches, and staff focused on inclusive language, privilege and implicit bias
• Host voter registration drives throughout the academic year to encourage student-athletes and staff to vote in elections.
• Provide student-athletes and staff with flexible scheduling options to vote on Election Day (Nov. 3).
• Continue to focus on availability of mental health services and support for student-athletes, coaches and staff
• Encourage Athletics Department to participate in the RISE Privilege survey: https://risetowin.org/take-action/index.html
• Take the UH Athletics Department's pledge against racism.
• Facilitation of two or more multi-sport team on and off-campus community service events
• Raise awareness of equal justice, equal opportunity and encourage inclusiveness, including during Pride Awareness Month.

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