Viewpoint Diversity

Viewpoint Diversity Initiatives

Diversity of people, ideas, experiences, and contributions is highly valued at ETSU and is embedded in the mission and values of the university. ETSU is committed to promoting a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive living, learning, and working environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors.

Learn more about the current programs, events, and resources that foster a community where people come first, are treated with dignity and respect and are encouraged to achieve their full potential.

Policies and Related Resources

Programs

Moon Shot for Equity

ETSU is a participant in Moon Shot for Equity, a public-private partnership dedicated to ensuring that more students complete college degrees, especially those most often left behind – low-income, first-generation, and students of color. 

BUCS Academy

This retention program serving students from African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American populations is designed to give first-time freshmen a solid foundation before the academic year begins. 

Quest for Success

Focusing on underrepresented students of color, this college transition program is designed to help students adjust to campus life and build a network of friends, faculty, and staff to assist them throughout their college journey. 

BEST Mentor Program

The Bucs Empowering Scholars for Tomorrow (BEST) Mentor program provides tailored programming and services to empower students and foster academic success. 

Discover Program

Discover ETSU program invites 11th and 12th grade high school students who are from underrepresented communities and/or are socioeconomically disadvantaged to spend time on ETSU’s campus to learn more about the opportunities the university offers. https://www.etsu.edu/equity/mcc/programs/discover/

International Buccaneer Buddies (IBB)

IBB is designed to help new international students adjust positively to life at ETSU. 

Diversity Scholars Society

Diversity Scholars Society honors students who come from across the country and globe with diverse identities, unique experiences, and transformative challenges.

Access ETSU

Access ETSU offers supplemental supports to young adults with an intellectual disablity (ID) who seek to enhance their academic, career development, and social skills alongside their peers at ETSU.

Past, Upcoming, and Continuing Events

 

MLK Celebration events


A series of events celebrated the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Black History Month Series




A variety of educational and entertaining events were hosted throughout Black History Month.

Festival of Ideas


Keynote speakers Mitch Albom and Piper Kerman spoke at ETSU’s 2024 Festival of Ideas.

The Rittenhouse Recap


Turning Point USA featured guest speaker Kyle Rittenhouse.

An Exuberant Spirit: The Sammie L. Nicely Collection


The ETSU Reece Museum presented an art exhibit featuring the work of the late Samuel Louis Nicely, an artist and educator who embraced his cultural heritage as an African American man from Appalachia.

Campaign for Kindness 


A series of ongoing book discussions centered on the ETSU Campus Read: The War for Kindness by Dr. Jamil Zaki.

Be Kind to Your Body Week


In recognition of February as National Eating Disorder Awareness Month,  activities were held during “Be Kind to Your Body Week,” Feb. 12-16.

Navajo Medicine: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Tribes


Dr. Lori Arviso Alvord, the first board certified Navajo, presented a lecture that detailed her life from the reservation to the operating room and her mission to integrate Navajo healing philosophies into Western medicine.

Deaf Talk: Loud Topics, Silent Room


This event was an evening of comical, heartfelt, and inspirational stories directly from the Deaf community.

Remembering the Bosnian War


Hasan Hasanovic presented a lecture about the Srebrenica Genocide and the importance of oral history.

WGS on Wednesdays


The Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGS) on Wednesdays lecture series features a variety of campus experts and topics.

Baptist Collegiate Ministry Worship


The Baptist Collegiate Ministry hosts a weekly Tuesday night worship service.

 

Training and Continuing Education

Passion to Action Workshop Series
The Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement and the Office of Community Engagement hosted a workshop series that helped students explore tangible ways to move their passions, beliefs, and opinions into a place of action.

Community Impact Lunch and Learn Series
The Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement offers free, virtual trainings and conversations aimed at strengthening campus and community partnerships in the community-engaged learning space. Sessions are free and open to students, faculty, staff, and community organizations.

Mental Health Ally Training
The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services partnered with Student Wellness to provide free Mental Health Ally Training. 

Lunch and Learn Sessions
The Office of Equity and Inclusion invites faculty, staff, and students from the university to lead discussions and share their areas of expertise in order to increase cultural competency at the university and community. 

Workshop for First-year Medical Students
In July 2022, Quillen College of Medicine hosted a workshop related to identity and its impact on the provision and receipt of health care. It was presented as part of the curriculum for first-year medical students.

Safe Zone Training
This optional training on basic terminology and inclusivity of the LGBTQ community is offered to faculty and staff. 

Resources

Divisive Concepts Legislation
This page reviews ETSU Core Values and includes frequently asked questions about the new law passed during the 2022 legislative session of the Tennessee General Assembly.

What is Viewpoint Diversity
Heterodox Academy created a short video explaining the importance of viewpoint diversity and confirmation bias. Heterodox Academy is a nonpartisan collaborative of 5,000+ professors, educators, administrators, staff, and students committed to research, open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement.

A Roadmap to Promote Campus Free Expression
This manual was produced by the Bipartisan Policy Center and offers helpful recommendations for college presidents and senior leadership teams, trustees, faculty, athletic directors and coaches, and student affairs staff.

Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center
The Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center is a place where our students can discuss, appreciate, and celebrate their identities, similarities, and differences through a variety of facilitated workshops, cultural programming, and academic/leadership development opportunities while also building a sense of community and belonging.

Dr. Patricia Robertson Pride Center
The Patricia Robertson Pride Center provides programming, campus resources, and educational training for ETSU students, faculty, staff, and community members.

ETSU Center for Teaching Excellence
The Center provides resources to foster equity and success for all students by nurturing excellence in teaching.

Classroom Dynamics and Diversity
Harvard’s Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning includes tips for managing challenging conversations.

 

To request that a past or future event be highlighted on this page, send the title of the event, date, link (if applicable), and a brief description to Dr. Chassidy Cooper at coopercl@etsu.edu

Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-1905 requires “Each public institution of higher education shall conduct a biennial survey of the institution’s students and employees to assess the campus climate with regard to diversity of thought and the respondents’ comfort level in speaking freely on campus, regardless of political affiliation or ideology.”

In compliance with Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-1905, East Tennessee State University administered its ETSU Biennial Campus Climate Survey in December 2022. Survey results may be found here.