Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement
In 2007, the university established the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement or ODECE with the mission of facilitating equitable learning, teaching, research and creative work opportunities for students, faculty and staff. The office also managed scholarships and academic programs for first-generation and underrepresented students. In 2023, the university transferred ODECE’s administrative functions to other campus units to serve students better and to integrate campus resources more effectively. The office closed permanently in July 2023. The campus units listed below now manage the following administrative functions:
- The Division of Enrollment Management manages student scholarships, financial aid and the Office of Precollege Outreach and Engagement.Ìý
- The Office of Undergraduate Education manages the CU LEAD Alliance, a network of academic services for students from historically underrepresented communities.
- The Graduate School manages the Colorado Diversity Initiative, which oversees several programs on the CU Boulder campus that promote diversity among science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.
- Student Affairs manages the Center for Inclusion and Social Change.
ODECE Reorganization FAQ
These moves ensure that the services offered are matched with the efforts of key partners, are integrated better with existing campus resources and are positioned to serve more students more effectively. For example, students receiving scholarships can receive the full resources and combined expertise of a team of scholarship experts in Enrollment Management who can troubleshoot, offer assistance and leverage greater support.
Colleges and schools are working with the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to implement action plans with the goal of eliminating barriers to the academic and/or professional success of students, staff and faculty. The action plans are part of a campuswide initiative called the Shared Equity Leadership model. Students, staff and faculty members can also consult with leaders of their school, college or other campus unit to learn more about the steps they are taking to support the campus’s strategic priorities, which include creating a more inclusive campus for all members of the campus community.
No, they will not. The university has taken steps to ensure that the new structures support continuity of process, institutional memory and community expertise.
The Office of Undergraduate Education is leading CU Boulder’s partnershipvwith the Denver Scholarship Foundation.
The Division of Enrollment Management administers scholarships offered through the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative under policies established by the Colorado Department of Higher Education.