LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky unveiled the early stages of what will be a comprehensive plan to increase diversity on campus.

“In many ways recently, we have made progress — educating and graduating more Black students and underrepresented students than at any time in our history. But we must also continue to confront the fact that much of that history — of an institution we all love — excluded Black students,” UK President Eli Capilouto told members of the Board of Trustees. “Today’s steps recognize that actions — symbolic, substantive and sustained — are required now.”

Presented to the UK Board of Trustees, the plan includes investments in training, employee recruitment and retention, student success, policies and programming and more. Several highlights of the plan include:

• Requiring cultural proficiency training for faculty and teaching assistants as well as training on handling race discussions in the classroom, diversity and inclusion training for students before fall semester, and strengthened diversity curriculum for UK 101. 
• Designating funds for greater diversity in faculty and staff recruitment.
• Developing a mini-internship program and student advisory group to increase the pipeline to careers in higher education.
• Expanding the UK's supplier diversity purchasing program.
• Convening a principles of community committee to evaluate the university's creed and code.
• Conducting a facilities audit as part of the development of a diversity/inclusivity master plan for the campus and creating a “percent for art fund” in which dollars for large capital construction projects would go toward purchasing diverse and inclusive art.
• Building out the development and consistency of diversity and inclusion officers within each of the university's colleges.
• Creating a research alliance to study and develop strategies around the reduction of social and racial injustice and health disparities.

The plan will continue developing over the next several weeks and month, but Capilouto said all of the stpes will be put into motion by the end of the fall semester. Each step will have executive sponsors who ensure accountability and completion.

Capilouto, also at the Board of Trustees meeting, announced that UK would recognize Juneteenth as a campus holiday. 

“June 19^th is a celebration of freedom. And it is a reminder that attempts to bring equality to all people have so often been met with opposition,” Capilouto said. “It is our responsibility to make sure we do all that we can to conquer each barrier. I hope it will become a moment to pause, to reflect, and a time that compels our community to act.”

“Today, I hope we are stating as a board and as a university our unequivocal commitment to this cause,” Capilouto said. “History is full of beginnings. The present can be one, too. Let us commit today to a new beginning, one from which we will not retreat ever again.”