The framework was applied to UO's Grade Equity Dashboard, Basic Needs Dashboard, Student Life Campus Climate Dashboard, and Race/Ethnicity Exploration Dashboard. These questions were centered throughout the process: During the inquiry process, what do you wonder and why? What did you notice and why? What are some reasons you noticed that and why? How does the "equity-minded inquiry practice" resonate with you? What types of actions can the UO take to foster a stronger culture of "equity-minded inquiry practices?"
The goal of this project is to apply an equity-minded framework at the University of Oregon and develop and internal model to incorporate the framework into daily work. This 4-step framework, adapted from effective data equity practices, will facilitate the process of sharing data, unpacking assumptions, asking the right questions, and becoming an advocate for institutional change - using inquiry to eliminate exclusionary practices and inequitable outcomes.
Lessons learned include:
- Critical to help colleagues question institutional policies and structures that perpetuate inequities, understand that academic systems are exclusionary, and reframe reasons why inequities exist.
- Generate collective and institutional support to change exclusionary practices. What are we doing to eliminate inequitable outcomes, support better practices, improve colleagues' equity-minded knowledge, and grow institutional support?
- Make space to understand if the process if working. Focus on improving and reaffirming values to ensure equity-mindedness is present. Does process focus on improvement and growth rather than accountability and compliance?