Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

A Message from Dr. Taffye Benson Clayton
Taffye Benson Clayton

"At Auburn, we appreciate diversity as a strength and are committed to expanding equity and inclusion for all. Your university leaders have been collaborating together to achieve our DEI objectives. We are eager to share progress with you and keep you updated on our journey as we promote a vision of belonging in which everyone is a welcomed and valued member of the Auburn Family. We know we can maximize our university's potential through this steadfast dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion which will create opportunities for students, faculty, staff and alumni to flourish and become leaders who change the world."

- Taffye Benson Clayton
Vice President and Associate Provost for Inclusion and Diversity at Auburn

Auburn Campus Climate Survey

As a part of Auburn University’s ongoing commitment to providing a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members of the Auburn Family to thrive. We seek to foster an Auburn Experience that is open and accessible to all, fosters respect, and a sense of appreciation throughout our campus. The overarching goal of our continuous campus climate studying is to provide a foundation for establishing and maintaining a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness that is embedded throughout the university.

Campus climate is defined as the current attitudes, behaviors and standards of faculty, staff, administrators and students concerning the level of respect for individual needs, abilities and potential. *

* Pascarella, E. T., & Terenzini, P. T. (2005). How College Affects Students: A Third Decade of Research. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass

Learn more about:
The 2022 Campus Climate Study
The 2016 Campus Climate Study Key Findings

DEI Strategy Overview

Auburn has compiled its five-year strategic plan with those from across its colleges, the Presidential Task Force for Equity and Opportunity and Office of Inclusion and Diversity into one comprehensive plan with key goals that work to create a campus that is equitable and works for students, faculty and staff from all backgrounds. Auburn intends to place a heavy focus on recruitment and retention that creates a robust and diverse enrollment, as well as ensure students from underrepresented backgrounds have the tools and support they need to succeed at Auburn.

Auburn DEI Strategy Overview

Auburn State of Inclusion

Last year at our first State of Inclusion and Diversity event we talked about how Auburn is on a journey.

We looked at where we’ve been, and how we’ve been investing in our people, our campus and our communities.

This year, we’re reviewing how Auburn has taken intentional steps towards inclusive excellence and how leaders across our campus are setting Auburn up to accelerate that progress in the future.

Spring 2022 Campus Climate Study

Building upon campus climate studies conducted in 2016 and 2021, Auburn University will formally and anonymously assess students, staff, faculty, post-doctoral scholars, and administrative professionals about their experiences and perceptions of campus and/or workplace climate during the Spring 2022 semester. Student Affairs and the Office of Inclusion and Diversity have partnered with SoundRocket to administer the campus climate survey to campus. SoundRocket has administered climate studies across professional industries, including other research-intensive institutions of higher education. Surveying will begin the week of March 28, 2022, and will continue until mid-to-late April. To learn more about SoundRocket, please visit their webpage. Frequently asked questions can be found at this link.

To take part in our survey, please monitor your Auburn University email account for survey distribution and reminders.

We will host one open forum for participants to learn more about SoundRocket and the campus climate survey process. This forum will take place via Zoom Webinar on:

April 6, 2022, from noon-1 p.m. via Zoom. Register for the zoom meeting here.

This study is one part of Auburn University’s ongoing efforts to foster a supportive, healthy, and inclusive campus for all members of the Auburn Family. After data is collected, executive summaries and other reporting will be generated at the campus-level. Unit-level reports will be created and distributed to senior leaders of their respective area at a later date.

Campus Climate Study Contacts

  • Dr. Taffye Benson Clayton, Vice President and Associate Provost, Office of Inclusion and Diversity
  • Dr. Bobby Woodard, Senior Vice President, Student Affairs
  • Corey Edwards, Assistant to the Senior Vice President, Student Affairs
  • Dr. Abby Langham, Director, Assessment and Strategic Planning, Student Affairs
  • JuWan Robinson, Chief of Staff and Special Assistant, Office of Inclusion and Diversity

Auburn University Diversity Statement

Diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice are important values at Auburn University.

Auburn University will proactively work to eliminate barriers facing underrepresented community members and commit to sustaining and supporting diversity in all its forms including those based on life experience, gender, sex, nationality, race, identity, ethnicity, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, socioeconomic status, veteran status, disability, neurodiversity, and religion. Auburn will actively cultivate a community where all members are valued, respected and can thrive personally and professionally. Auburn will invest substantial resources to increase the number of underrepresented groups in all facets of the University to include staff, students, faculty, vendors, partners and those who offer voluntary service.

Auburn will measure its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice through ongoing assessment and evaluation of activities and individual and collective actions as reflected in practices, procedures, programs, relationships, behaviors and campus culture.

Presidential Task Force for
Opportunity and Equity Progress Updates

The four subcommittees of the Presidential Task Force for Opportunity and Equity have made recommendations to address disparities in recruitment and retention, as well as the implementation of a campus-wide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Education program. Read more about the Task Force’s progress here.

Download

Task Force Progress

Auburn expanding opportunities for diversity, equity and inclusion learning

Auburn University believes in the importance of creating a safe and healthy environment that is free from harassment and discrimination for all members of the Auburn Family. As Auburn continues along its diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, journey, it is committed to providing self-directed learning opportunities for employees to advance their knowledge, skills and competencies regarding DEI.

In advancement of this commitment and efforts from the Presidential Taskforce for Opportunity and Equity, the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, or OID, would like to introduce new learning options available to the campus.

Auburn demographics for studentbody, faculty, staff and alumni

Across the state, America, and the world
  • All 67 Alabama counties represented in student body

  • Student population includes students from all 50 states and 121 countries

  • 8.1% of the total student population is international



Demographic data as of 2020

Race/Ethnicity of Students
77.4% - White
5.3% - Black or African American
3.6% - Hispanic
2.4% - Asian
11.3% - Unspecified
Gender
50.3% - Male
49.7% - Female
Race/Ethnicityof Alumni
78.3% - White or Caucasian
4.3% - Black or African American
2.9% - Asian
1% - Hispanic
13.5% - Unspecified
Gender
53.6% - Male
46.4% - Female
Race/Ethnicityof Faculty
73.2% - White
10.8% - Asian
4.6% - Black
4.3% - Hispanic
7.1% - Unspecified
Gender
59% - Male
41% - Female
Race/Ethnicityof Staff
79.4% - White
14.3% - Black
1.8% - Hispanic
1.6% - Asian
2.9% - Unspecified
Gender
57% - Female
43% - Male

Auburn's Historical Progress

Auburn is dedicated to strengthening its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This historical timeline highlights some of the milestones since our founding as a land-grant institution, as we work toward the ideal environment for everyone in the Auburn Family.

Last updated: May 17, 2023