Policy on Social Equity

The School of Architecture & Interior Design aligns it Policies on Diversity and Inclusion with those of the larger Andrews University institution:

The Seventh-day Adventist Church Fundamental Belief #14 says:

The church is one body with many members, called from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learning, and nationality, and differences between high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation. Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures we share the same faith and hope and reach out in one witness to all. This unity has its source in the oneness of the triune God, who has adopted us as His children.

With this in mind, we commit to more than mere representational diversity but rather to the outcomes of transformational diversity. We explore how diverse peoples have enriched the human experience and developed the interpersonal abilities to respect, appreciate, and interact with those of different races, ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities, experiences, and backgrounds. This robust learning environment uniquely equips our students for service to a diverse and global community.

Andrews enrolls more than 3,400 students annually from most of the 50 states and nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. How we manage our diversity is important. Our goal is transformational, not just representative, diversity. We celebrate and manage diversity in several ways: integration of cultural competency training in classroom curriculum, cultural and ethnic clubs and organizations, faculty, and staff diversity-related committees and assignments, and student and faculty/staff training.

Further,

We Seek to diversify our faculty and staff to ensure that students better see themselves reflected in the leadership of the school and that their education reflects our globally diverse environment, better preparing our students to serve meaningfully around the world when they graduate.

Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity 
Andrews University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies.

Reports of discrimination or harassment based on any of the above-mentioned categories should be directed to the Office of Diversity, Danielle Pilgrim. pilgrim@andrews.edu

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and related statutes and regulations:
Kristine Walker-Fraser, disability services coordinator
269-471-3227, walkerfr@andrews.edu

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and to serve as the overall campus coordinator for purposes of Title IX compliance:
Frances Faehner, vice president for Campus & Student Life
269-471-2679, frances@andrews.edu

The following individuals have been designated as Title IX deputy coordinators:
For complaints regarding students—Alyssa Palmer, associate dean for Student Life
269-471-6684, alyssap@andrews.edu

For complaints regarding faculty or staff—Ethan Jones, Director of Compliance
269-471-6515, ethanj@andrews.edu​

Inquiries concerning the application of anti-discrimination laws may be referred to the Title IX coordinators or to the Office for Civil Rights, United States Department of Education.

For further information on notice of nondiscrimination, call the office of the U.S. Department of Education, 1-800-421-3481.