OPINION: Ohio University’s HEED award does not accurately reflect the school’s progress
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in The New Political’s Winter Magazine: “Moving Forward.”
As a Black student at Ohio University, I do not feel adequately supported by the faculty and staff, journalism school or the overall institution.
This October, Ohio U was awarded the 2021 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine for the fourth consecutive year.
At 45 years old, INSIGHT Into Diversity is the oldest and largest diversity magazine and website in higher education. Its company works to connect individuals seeking jobs with potential employers within education. They pride themselves on creating a diverse workforce that reflects a wider range of genders, races, ages and abilities.
The magazine has over 700,000 monthly visitors and covers news in and around corporate and academic campuses. INSIGHT Into Diversity features leaders and experts, racial and equity teachings and highlights marginalized identities.
The INSIGHT Into Diversity HEED Award recognizes colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada that demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion on their campus. This is measured through their implementation of successful “initiatives, programs, and outreach; student recruitment, retention, and completion; and hiring practices for faculty and staff.”
INSIGHT Into Diversity claims that their award is notable because it is the only national award to recognize institutions that prioritize diversity and inclusion. Recipients receive a certificate, copies of the award and access to the HEED award logo for promotional and marketing use.
The last four years that Ohio U has applied to the award, it has won, along with nearly a hundred other schools. The application is relatively straightforward, and there are no application fees or requirements for applying (other than geographic location).
Essentially, colleges and universities can submit an application with a weak diversity and inclusion plan, nominate five other schools and, in return, receive bragging rights and the ability to showcase their “achievements” to prospective students and donors.
The HEED Award is not a real honor; it’s a gold star and a pat on the head that tells our university administrators that they have accomplished the bare minimum. It does not reflect the student body's opinions, those who are paying the school to reap the benefits of this “great” diversity plan. There are more students of color on campus this year, but it does not mean they are actively supported.
Ohio U’s ability to support its diverse community and foster inclusive environments should be evaluated by the students and faculty of the university. An advisory board made up of people who do not have lived experiences at Ohio U cannot assess whether or not a Black student sees peers and professors who look like them, if the student who uses a wheelchair can easily get around campus or if the transgender student feels safe in their housing on campus. The only thing these board members can do is make their best judgment based on the information provided by our multicultural office directors.
I have read Ohio U’s Inclusive Excellence Plan, and they are not performing as well as they claim to be. Their plan was directly motivated by the political and civil unrest of the summer of 2020. Still, they did not maintain the sense of urgency they showed when the killings of Black people were being covered on national news.
While both institutions and individuals have made efforts to engage in more inclusive, anti-racist conversations, it is not enough. I am still the only Black student in several of my classes and constantly face uncomfortable, isolating and awkward interactions. I often feel I have to defend my right to take up space while my white counterparts are unaware that my identity puts me at a disadvantage. It is exhausting, so I look to Black organizations for support.
Unfortunately, these groups are underfunded and underrecognized, and many of us dedicate our meeting time towards brainstorming ways to change this. Even outside of the classroom, I will always have to fight for a place at a predominately white institution.