Commitment to Campus Diversity
click here for diversity in employment

Trinity Christian College seeks "to provide biblically informed liberal arts education in the Reformed tradition" in an environment characterized by Christian integrity and love.  "Because our mission recognizes no racial or cultural boundaries, we consciously seek to develop a multiracial, multinational, and multidenominational student body." (Trinity Christian College mission statement) 

Trinity affirms its commitment to work toward greater diversity of its students, faculty staff, and administrators, particularly with regard to race, ethnicity, and cultural diversity. Not only do we seek diversity, but acceptance, appreciation, honor, and equality.  We see evidence of the call to diversity in the themes of creation, fall, redemption, and new creation: 

God created humans in his image to represent him on earth. These diverse humans were created to live in loving community with him. 

We grieve that the fall into sin distorts each person and results in broken communities within a broken world. 

Christ's redemptive ministry breaks the barriers that isolate men from women, rich from poor, Jews from non-Jews, persons from one culture from all those from every other culture. He calls his people to be peacemakers and to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)  For Christ "himself is our peace... and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility..." among people. (Eph. 2: 14.15) 

The vision of the new creation is that of "... a great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb." (Rev. 7:9) 

We educate in the hope of the final restoration of all things.  The scene from Revelation 7 shapes our community, teaching, research, and influence. Trinity Christian College seeks diversity to reflect God's creation, to demonstrate his reign, and to anticipate his new creation. 

Thus, Trinity Christian College seeks to welcome, encourage, and support those who wish to contribute to and benefit from our mission. We aim for members of this college community who come from different geographical areas and represent differences in ethnicity, and race, while they are rooted in a Reformed, Christian worldview and perspective.  Trinity Christian College not only welcomes such qualities in its community but, in fulfilling its mission and in preparing people who will live in radically diverse environments, we seek to actively recruit and include a variety of people into all aspects of our academic life: in boards, administration, faculty, staff, and student body. 

Trinity acknowledges that inclusivity, diversity, and openness in the context of a Reformed, Christian worldview enhances the preparation our students receive for life and service in a multi-cultural and global world. 

Trinity's commitment to diversity will be evident in the governance of this institution.  We believe that the commitment to diversity must be evident in the actions of those who are called to govern.  We will: 
. nominate qualified board members who reflect diversity in ethnicity, national origin, and culture; 
. hold the administration responsible for monitoring and implementing actions consistent with the "Commitment to Campus Diversity" plan; 

Trinity's commitment to diversity will be evident in the appointments of faculty, staff, and administrators who have a Reformed, Christian perspective.  We believe that a diverse body of staff, faculty, and administrators is foundational to sustaining an academic community.  We will: 
. develop and adopt the "Plan for Diversity in Employment"; 
. hire a director of ethnic diversity; 
. provide a welcoming environment for diversity by contextually explaining the college's perspective and history, and by acknowledging the value of a diverse administration, faculty, and staff. 

Trinity's commitment to diversity will be evident in the academic and residential community on our campus.  We believe that the community in which we live and learn must reflect the diversity of creation. We will: 
. request that potential contribution to diversity be a high criterion for the selection of visiting lecturers, chapel speakers, seminars, films, and artistic or other intellectual presentations and performances; 
. provide opportunities for diversity through coursework, residence hall programs, and campus cultural events; 
. continue to provide academic support services; 
. ensure that all students have equal opportunities for participation in campus events, athletics, and co-curricular activities; 
. work towards a policy to redress ethnic and racial discrimination complaints. 

Trinity's commitment to diversity will be evident in student recruitment and admissions.  We believe that the students recruited to Trinity must give evidence to the diverse society in which we live.  We will: 
. continue to utilize the Greater Chicago Leadership Scholarship and seek means to fund additional scholarships to attract a diverse student body; 
. review aspects of recruitment so that we articulate and support recruitment efforts in schools, communities, and churches that lead to enrollment of students from under-represented minority groups; 
. create a group of pastors who will advise and serve as liaisons; 
. establish a group of parents of our current and former minority students who will serve as liaisons and provide support. 

Trinity's commitment to diversity will be evident in our place in the larger community:  We believe that Trinity, as an institution of higher learning, must promote the unity of God's family.  We will: 
. find ways to promote ethnic and racial reconciliation in our general society by intentionally addressing issues of  difference, inclusion, and appreciation; 
. invite the general public to our multicultural or specific ethnic events and feature such events in our official college publications and website releases. 

Trinity's commitment to diversity will be evident its events and publications.  We believe that Trinity's print and cultural resources should promote diversity. We will: 
. encourage and promote diversity in our events and publications, which will be a function of the ethnic diversity committee. 

Trinity's commitment to diversity will be evident its efforts to review actions on an annual basis. We believe that accountability and evaluation are important aspects of this plan.  We will:
. request that the director of ethnic diversity provide an annual written review submitted to the president through the provost that includes: a summary of actions consistent with the "Commitment to Campus Diversity", a review of search processes, a summary of campus events, a review of adequacy of academic services, a record of complaints with notation of actions taken, and a review of recruitment and admissions procedures.  The ethnic diversity committee will continue to submit an annual report of its actions to the provost.
 

Plan for Diversity in Employment

This document outlines the plan and procedures by which Trinity Christian College seeks to fulfill our commitment to diversity. It is intended to articulate, and not interfere with other aspects and procedures of the hiring process, specifically those laid out in Trinity Christian College Employee Handbook and those specified in Section 6 of the Faculty and Administrative Handbook, 6th Edition.  Trinity affirms her commitment to work toward greater diversity of its faculty, staff, and administrators, particularly with regard to race, ethnicity, gender and physical abilities. 

Trinity Christian College maintains a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age, as required by title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. (Section 5.1 of the Faculty and Administrative Handbook, 6th Edition, January 2001)

The president is responsible for the overall execution and adherence to the plan. He/she may designate committees and personnel to develop, implement, assess and monitor this plan and all that pertains to the commitment to and realization of diversity at Trinity Christian College. 

The committee for diversity in employment monitors attempts to attract and hire a diverse population, within the parameters of the college's commitment to a unique Reformed Christian academic perspective.  This committee, of not more than eight members who are appointed by the president, shall include: 
. The director of ethnic diversity
. The chair or designee of the ethnic diversity committee
. One student representative from an under-represented minority
. One representative of the non-faculty staff
. One person selected by the president from the supporting or parental community at large.

Each member of the Administrative Council is responsible for job searches within its jurisdiction.  Members of the Administrative Council or other persons who are in charge of hiring for a particular department or other unit, should generally use the following process for the search:

1. College personnel should be notified of the vacancy. 

2. Vacant positions should be advertised in ways that are appropriate for the open position and designed to reach underrepresented minority persons.  Examples include: local papers, church bulletins, Chicagoland newspapers, newspapers with specific broadcast or circulation in particular minority communities such as Chicago Defender or La Raza, The Banner, The Church Herald, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Black Issues in Higher Education, and on websites such as the one maintained by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.  Position advertisements should contain wording that indicates Trinity's commitment to hiring a diverse staff and faculty.

3.   The director of ethnic diversity will assist administrative personnel by making appropriate contacts and by encouraging qualified individuals to apply for the open position.

The annual, written report, written by the director of ethnic diversity and submitted to the president through the provost, will include a summary of the process used for open positions.  The report should include a description of the Reformed Christian perspective of each candidate, the general requirements of the position and qualifications of the applicants, the availability of underrepresented minority candidates for the position, and the efforts made to notify and advertise in sufficiently broad venues. 

Legal Compliance

Trinity Christian College, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, operates in a non-discriminatory manner with regard to race, color, age, or national origin. Furthermore, as required by Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, Trinity Christian College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs, activities, or employment policies. Trinity Christian College also provides equal opportunity for qualified handicapped persons in accordance with the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Trinity Christian College supports the Famiy Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 and the rights accorded and the privacy guaranteed the student by this Act. Students who are currently enrolled at Trinity or formerly enrolled students, regardless of their age or status in regard to parental dependency, are protected under FERPA.