Diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education: creating a positive and successful experience for all students

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) continues to be strategic priority for many higher education institutions. A sound DEI framework, including robust institutional protocol, effective communication mechanisms, programming and training to support that framework, will lead to an enhanced student experience and success.

Key risks associated with DEI

DEI-related matters continue to be inherently high risk within higher education institutions across the country. Some of the key risks associated with DEI include:

Insufficient institutional protocol

A lack of formalized policies and procedures as well as insufficient or ineffective internal controls may lead to ambiguity or inconsistencies when handling DEI-related matters.

Campus community diversity

Institutions may lack diversity among their students, faculty and staff. A lack of diversity may indicate a culture perceived as unwelcoming or even hostile to certain groups of people. This can lead to a negative impact on the institution's reputation, recruitment and admissions and may also lead to legal challenges.

Harassment and discrimination-related incidents

Institutions may face DEI risks if they do not have effective policies and procedures in place to prevent harassment and discrimination and to respond to and implement corrective measures if an incident does occur. For example, students, faculty or staff may experience harassment or discrimination based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or disability, which can lead to legal disputes and harm the institution's reputation.

Inequities in access and success

Institutions may also face DEI risks if certain groups of students do not have equal access to educational opportunities or if they do not achieve success at the same rates as other groups. This can lead to a lack of diversity among students and may also result in legal challenges as well as adversely impact the institution's reputation.

While the list above identifies some of the key risks associated with DEI, it is not comprehensive. There are numerous DEI-related risks that institutions should be aware of. Therefore, it is critical for institutions to identify the risks and ensure there are sufficient mitigation strategies in place to effectively navigate the current DEI landscape.

Baker Tilly can help

Baker Tilly can help institutions enhance their current DEI framework and approach by evaluating the strategic plan and assessing the infrastructure in place to support that plan as well as evaluating how departments across the institution handle DEI-related incidents. Our team will provide recommendations to strengthen efforts based on the results of the audit approach as well as leading practices.