Commitment to Campus Diversity

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 multi-denominational 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.