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

The Meaning and Purpose of Black History Month

This event, led by Dr. Kevin L. Brooks, and other programming throughout February celebrated the importance and the significance of Black History Month.

Appalachian Health Lecture

Dr. Randy Wykoff, Dean of the ETSU College of Public Health, and ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland discussed the health and social challenges facing the people of Appalachia in this lecture.

Festival of Ideas

ETSU’s fourth-annual Festival of Ideas featured David Brooks, New York Times columnist and best-selling author, as well as Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, co-hosts of Pantsuit Politics. The event also included a campus-community conversation titled “The Art of Civil Discourse,” featuring Steve Darden, Opal Frye-Clark, Dr. David W. Harker, and Dr. Martha Michieka.

Civility Week

ETSU celebrated Civility Week, an intentional period of connection, conversation, and reflection on the university community’s core values. The event featured Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. The week also featured a moderated discussion featuring Deborah Douglas and Amber Payne, co-editors of The Emancipator, and other special guests and events.

Appalachian Highlands Economic Forum

ETSU hosted the first-ever Appalachian Highlands Economic Forum, featuring keynote speaker Mark Vitner, Chief Economist at Piedmont Crescent Capital and former Senior Economist at Wells Fargo Bank.

Michael Knowles Lecture

ETSU’s Conservative Coalition hosted a lecture and Q&A by conservative political commentator, podcaster, and Daily Wire host Michael Knowles.

Comedian K-VON

Turning Point USA hosted Comedy Night with K-VON in the D.P. Culp Student Center Ballroom.

John Ashcroft Keynote Address

Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft was the keynote speaker at ETSU’s Pre-Law Society and Pi Sigma Alpha end-of-year banquet.

Ian Haworth Lecture

Turning Point USA hosted Ian Haworth, a critic of gun control legislation.

Riley Gaines Lecture

Turning Point USA hosted olympic swimmer Riley Gaines for a discussion of equity in athletics.

Training and Continuing Education

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.

Inclusive Excellence Training
The Inclusive Excellence Cultural Competency workshop trains faculty and staff in cultural competencies that include inclusive pedagogy techniques used by students both in and out of the classroom.

Moon Shot for Equity Professional Learning Series
The Moon Shot for Equity Professional Learning Series is an ongoing series focusing on topics such as engaging in productive conversations about race and racism, which was presented by Dr. Shaun Harper.

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.