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One of the hallmarks of a great university is its genuine commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and service to the community. ´ºÃÎÖ±²¥â€™s commitment to Inclusive Excellence is a commitment to conceptualize inclusiveness and excellence as one and the same, make inclusiveness ubiquitous, assign responsibility for inclusiveness to everyone on campus, and utilize a broad definition of inclusiveness. ´ºÃÎÖ±²¥ commits to hold justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion as values and practices that are embedded into the heart and soul of the institution.

Inclusive Excellence employs a broad and inclusive definition of diversity that includes (but is not limited to) disability, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, social class, language, age, religion, race, ethnicity, nationality, veteran status, and other important social dimensions that are part of the campus community. Linked to justice, equity, and inclusion, diversity becomes far more than a numerical goal of diverse constituents. Our focus is the continuous transformation of the university into a vibrant community that embeds diversity and inclusiveness throughout the institution, including (but not limited to) demographics (numbers), curriculum, policies, enrollment, pedagogy, financial resources, diverse student learning outcomes, leadership, training, retention, student learning, marketing, technology, teaching, student advising, campus climate communications, administration, recruitment, hiring and promotion and tenure, assessment, institutional advancement, and evaluation.

Salem State strives to both increase the diversity within our campus community and to create a welcoming environment for all members. We unequivocally denounce acts of bias or hate and pledge to respond in ways that reinforce our values of inclusion and belonging and prioritize empowerment and healing. The university defines a bias incident as any act, conduct or communication that reasonably is understood to demean, degrade, threaten or harass an individual or group based on an actual or perceived characteristic. Community members who witness or experience bias are encouraged to notify the university to initiate an investigation.