Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Hero Treatment

At Taft, we are committed to the work of becoming more inclusive as an institution and as individuals. This work requires effort, thought and care, courage, humility and time. It is never ending, with space for new ideas and understanding, growth, and improvement. This work helps us prepare our students to be informed, moral, and just global citizens.

Taft is an intentionally diverse institution whose members work to acknowledge, respect, and empathize with people of all different identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, and religion. We foster these habits and dispositions in accordance with Taft’s mission to educate the whole student, thus preparing individuals morally and pragmatically to become global citizens. As such, community members commit to participate in and support ongoing equity and inclusion programming through curricular and co-curricular offerings, professional development, residential life, and local and global partnerships. Moreover, members of the Taft community strive to understand and combat the symptoms and causes of systematic oppression — ranging from implicit biases to microaggressions to discriminatory policies, practices and traditions — that benefit privileged groups and disadvantage marginalized groups. While at Taft and beyond, community members commit to affirm and honor the lived experiences of others, to willingly challenge inherited beliefs and ideologies, and consequently learn, grow, and serve.

Programs and Initiatives

Taft provides a wide variety of programs and initiatives to support diversity and inclusion.

Affinity Groups

 

Affinity groups serve as support networks for students and faculty and a safe place to explore and discuss various aspects of the Taft student life experience.

DEI Programming Videos

Watch previous presentations of speakers from across the aisle and across the globe granting exposure to new or unique perspectives, and offering deeper, broader insights into the world. 

Student Clubs and Activities

Many of our clubs offer students opportunities to share their unique interests and experiences with our broader community.

DEI Article Archive

A collection of articles about recent diversity, equity, and inclusion work at Taft.

EthicsPoint Report

If you would like to place a report relating to a violation of Taft's Code of Conduct in confidence, you are encouraged to use EthicsPoint, a hotline hosted by a third-party provider. You have the option to send the information you provide to EthicsPoint on a completely confidential and anonymous basis.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Presented by Taft's Shades and Mosaic Affinity Groups.
Video by Ronald Ceesay, Drew Niewinski, and Ben D'Amico.

Shades is an affinity group created to bring together Black & Latinx men, under the goals of charity, brotherhood, and promoting cultural diversity at Taft and beyond.

Mosaic is an affinity group that provides a safe space for Black & Latinx women to feel comfortable, loved, and empowered.

Communications Archive

Female Taft students participating in WorldFest