Diversity Management at the University of Applied Sciences Ludwigshafen
Jutta Rump; Imke Buß; Janina Kaiser; Melanie Schiedhelm; Petra Schorat-Waly
With the adoption of the diversity management concept at the beginning of 2015, the Senate of the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences confirmed its general commitment to a diversity-friendly university policy. In diversity management (DiM) at the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences, diversity is interpreted in the direction of 'diversity as differences and similarities'. Thus, not only the 'otherness' of groups of people should be addressed, but also what unites them. Inclusive, strategic diversity management also takes into account the intersectional perspective by looking at different diversity dimensions at the same time and exploring the question of what interactions exist and when which categories become significant for the management of diversity (Ebenherr 2012). The aim is to prevent existing stereotypes and prejudices against a particular group of people from being reproduced through the attribution of typical characteristics and behaviors. Diversity is fundamentally understood as an opportunity. The university continues an approach that has been anchored for a long time: For example, the International Office has been supporting international students and exchange teachers since 1991. Particularly noteworthy is the audit as the first family-friendly university nationwide in 2002. Since then, the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences has already been re-audited four times, under the leadership of the Equal Opportunities Officer. With the signing of the Diversity Charter in 2010, the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences has now also committed itself in writing to the fair treatment of diversity characteristics such as gender, nationality, ethnic origin, social origin, religion or ideology, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity. This was further anchored in 2014 in the adoption of the new mission statement and in 2015 in the personnel development concept.
The mission statement states: "The Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences stands for (...) mutual respect and appreciation (...) living diversity and equal opportunities." (Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences 2014, Self-Image and Values).
In seven points, the mission statement describes the areas in which the university is active:
1. Development of socio-political and educational commitment in the idea of an open university
2. Promoting the compatibility of work and/or study in different life situations 3. Supporting educational advancement 4. Developing diversity-appropriate individual advising and counseling services for students 5. Assuming social responsibility as a public educational institution 6. Promoting internationalization in the faculty and student body 7. Creating healthy study and working conditions at the university.
In April 2016, the fields of action of equality, family-friendliness, accessibility and diversity were combined into an integrating diversity management in order to be able to act more efficiently as a unit. The Coordination Office for Equal Opportunity and Diversity was founded for this purpose. It develops strategies and concepts to promote equal opportunities at the university.
Further information at: www.hwg-lu.de/service/chancengleichheit-und-vielfalt.html and
http://www.hwg-lu.de/service/studium-lehre/diversity.html
Literature
Ebenherr, H. (2012): Intersectionality and stereotyping: basic theories and concepts in organizational research. In: R. Bendl, E. Hannapi-Egger, and R. Hofmann (Eds.): diversity and diversity management. Vienna: Facultas, pp. 61-78.
Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences (2014): Mission statement. Ludwigshafen. Available online at [https://www.hwg-lu.de/fileadmin/user_upload/service/studium-und-lehre/qualitaetsmanagement/Leitbild_Flyer.pdf], last checked 19.08.2015.
Citation
Rump, Jutta; Buß, Imke; Kaiser, Janina; Schiedhelm, Melanie; Schorat-Waly, Petra (2017): Diversity and diversity management at the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences. In: Rump, Jutta; Buß, Imke; Kaiser, Janina; Schiedhelm, Melanie; Schorat-Waly, Petra: Toolbox for good teaching in a diverse student body. Working Papers of the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences, No. 6. www. hwg-lu.de/arbeitspapiere
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