UB receives MAC Diversity & Inclusion Institutional Award

UB has been named the recipient of the Mid-American Conference’s (MAC) inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Institutional Award in recognition of the university’s achievements in developing a culture of diversity and inclusion.

The MAC award is the second such honor UB has received recently. The university received the NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA)’s 2018 Award for Diversity and Inclusion last December for its commitment to establishing an inclusive environment in athletics, on campus and in the community.

“We are tremendously honored that the MAC is recognizing our commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said President Satish K. Tripathi. “Diversity and inclusion are core values of our institutional mission — central to our identity as a public research university and, therefore, central to all of our programs across Buffalo.

“That the MAC, with this inaugural institutional award, is celebrating our athletics department’s success in fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment is a source of great pride for all of us at UB.”

UB Athletics was cited by the MAC, NCAA and MOAA for comprehensive programming and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion. Among them:

• Developing a student-athlete survey, distributed at the end of each competitive season, that centers on whether athletes believe an inclusive culture continues to be fostered within athletics, and if additional education is needed.
• Creating a peer-mentoring program that encourages student-athletes to support one another around life topics that include issues on race, ethnicity, religious beliefs and sexual orientation.
• Instituting a Diversity Athletic Council where student-athletes take part in inclusive-related discussions on such topics as immigration and international matters, gender equity and race.
• Supporting freedom of expression with a departmental video that educates student-athletes on how to thoughtfully express opinions surrounding social issues and race.
• Working with a gender subcommittee of university officials that addresses equitable treatment and issues, and increases awareness of sexual assault violence prevention on campus.
• Adding to the Athletics website statements and policies that confirm its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Developing public announcements for athletics competitions that promote the school’s zero-tolerance policy for derogatory remarks and slurs.

Mark Alnutt, UB’s athletics director, called the MAC Diversity and Inclusion Award “a true testament of our institution’s commitment and subsequent action to these very important values.”

“We will strive to continue to be a recognized leader in the MAC and beyond in the concepts of diversity and inclusion, as this will strengthen our institution.”