The document discusses ways to represent diversity on university websites. It provides tips for making web content more inclusive such as ensuring diversity statements are easy to find, using inclusive language and images that reflect the diversity of the student body, highlighting resources for underrepresented groups, and evaluating all content for inclusiveness. The document emphasizes the importance of authentic representation and listening to different communities to ensure websites accurately portray a university's commitment to diversity.
Representing Diversity and Inclusion on University Websites
1. Representing
Diversity
on the Web:
Conny Liegl (she/her/hers)
Senior Designer for Web, Graphics and UX
Robert E. Kennedy Library
California Polytechnic State University
6. #edUiConf
@connyliegl
The definition of diversity is specifically
inclusive of, but not limited to, an
individual’s race/ethnicity, sex/gender,
socioeconomic status, cultural heritage,
disability and sexual orientation.
7. #edUiConf
@connyliegl
§Should be easy to reach in one click
(consider putting link in header/footer)
§“About the university” should include
diversity statement or link to page
§Keyword search should quickly get visitors
to diversity pages
9. #edUiConf
@connyliegl
Does your entire web presence
reflect a commitment to
diversity and inclusivity?
§Voice and tone
§Images
§Resources for undocumented/
underrepresented students
§Web forms
§Social media
§Accessibility
12. #edUiConf
@connyliegl
Gendered Gender-neutral
man person, individual
mankind people, human beings, humanity
freshman first-year student
man-made machine-made, synthetic, artificial
chairman chair, chairperson, coordinator, head
Sir (in “Dear Sir,” etc.)
Dear Sir or Madam,To Whom it May
Concern, etc.
S/he will report to the new
manager.
The individual will report to the new
manager.
sportsmanship fairness, good humor, sense of fair play
17. #edUiConf
@connyliegl
Student Success
Our enterprising students – majoring in everything
from agricultural business to food science, from
recreation, parks and tourism administration to
animal science, from forestry and natural resources
to agricultural communication – earn national
awards and recognition year after year.”
cafes.calpoly.edu/student-success
20. #edUiConf
@connyliegl
“Universities have a responsibility to
portray diversity on campus, and to
portray the type of diversity that they
would like to create.
[They also] have a responsibility to be
actively engaged in creating that diversity
on campus that goes deeper than just
what's in the picture.”
–Diallo Shabbaz
npr.org/2013/12/29/257765543/a-campus-more-colorful-than-reality-beware-that-college-brochure
38. #edUiConf
@connyliegl
A positive role model…
§Can inspire others to better themselves
§Represents what you defined as success
§Evokes loyalty
§Is accepted and respected
§Stands for something
50. #edUiConf
@connyliegl
§Prospective students must be proficient enough
in English to understand admissions material
without translation, often no translated pages
§Other efforts instead aim at students’ families
§ University viewbooks
§ Video series
§ Google ads in Spanish
§ Commencement speeches
55. #edUiConf
@connyliegl
§Allow students to find your diversity statements.
§Use an inclusive tone and voice.
§Make sure images match campus’ core values.
§Highlight resources for underrepresented
students.
§Tell real stories and create role models.
§Evaluate all content (incl. forms) on inclusion.
§Find relevant web editors and talk to them.
§If you’re not sure about something – ask.