Diversity & Inclusion
Utica College is proud of its commitment to diversity and inclusion, providing a unique opportunity for students to learn and grow in an environment welcoming to a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Through a diverse college community, students can feel free to express themselves and their thoughts while gaining valuable exposure to different perspectives and ideas in positive ways.
How we define Diversity
Our community of students, faculty and staff reflect a diversity of experiences, opinions, and cultural backgrounds shaped by biology, society, history, and choice. Our community includes members who are diverse by virtue of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religious and/or spiritual affiliations, and socio-economic status, as well as the number of other ways in which who we are influences how we see the world.
Furthermore, we value and celebrate diversity, and this results in a commitment to multiculturalism. We believe that within the community of human persons, all cultures, perspectives, and beliefs about faith, ideals, taste and lifestyles are of equal value. Our diversity deepens our commitment to nurture a multicultural environment in which we engage with others and blend perspectives, to learn about diverse cultures, to explore who we are and where we come from and to accept one another without prejudice.
The Utica College Mission and Values Statement includes a commitment to fostering diversity in perspective, background, and experience within an environment that is dedicated to the freedom of expression and the open sharing of ideas.
Learn more:
The Diversity Committee (DC) is engaged in ongoing work that increases the awareness and appreciation of diversity on campus and in society at large. Through the implementation of programs, activities, and events, we endeavor to build a sense of unity within and across cultures. Learn more about the committee by visiting their web site:
Race/Ethnicity - Undergraduate Students, Main Campus
| Race/Ethnicity | Total Student Population |
| Black Non-Hispanic | 273 (12.5%) |
| White Non-Hispanic | 1424 (65.0%) |
| Hispanic/Latino | 198 (9.0%) |
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 14 (.6%) |
| Asian | 59 (2.7%) |
| Pacific Islander | 2 (.09%) |
| International | 64 (2.9%) |
| Multiple Races | 71 (3.2%) |
| Unknown | 85 (3.9%) |
| Total | 2190 |
Gender - Undergraduate Students, Main Campus
| Gender | Total Student Population |
| Male | 1002 (45.8%) |
| Female | 1188 (54.2%) |
| Total | 2190 |
*Fall 2015
Race/Ethnicity - Faculty & Staff
| Race/Ethnicity | Total Population |
| Black Non Hispanic | 12 (2.8%) |
| White Non Hispanic | 388 (91.3%) |
| Hispanic/Latino | 7 (1.6%) |
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 2 (.5%) |
| Asian | 9 (2.1%) |
| Pacific Islander | 0 (0%) |
| International | 3 (.7%) |
| Multiple Races | 4 (.9%) |
| Unknown | 0 (0%) |
| Total | 425 |
The goal of the SafeZone program at Utica College is to increase our campus community’s knowledge, understanding, and awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) issues. This program aims to enhance our campus's sense of community while providing information and resources to individuals in order for them to create their own SafeZone, in which they can provide a supportive and welcoming environment to others. The ultimate goal of this program is to create a supportive and safe UC environment for all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression.
Individuals can become SafeZone certified by attending an upcoming SafeZone Certification Training Programs. The 2-hour training gives participants the knowledge, resources, and skills to enable them to create their own safe space. This safe space can be in an office, in a residence hall room, or anywhere they have a quiet, safe, and welcoming environment. These events are open to all members of the UC Community but are limited to 30 participants per event, so early sign up is encouraged.
Interested in hosting a SafeZone Certification event for your department, organization, or group? Please contact the SafeZone Trainer Committee at SafeZone@utica.edu to set up a training session.
The Bias Response and Referral Network (BRRN) has been established as part of Utica College’s commitment to fostering an inclusive campus climate and supporting members of our community when bias-related incidents or hate crimes occur.
When a bias-related incident or potential hate crime is reported, the BRRN coordinates responses to individuals and/or communities who have been affected by bias-related behaviors and potential hate crimes. The BRRN will be responsible for receiving reports of bias-related incidents, reaching out to the person filing the report and others as needed and formulating an appropriate response to impacted parties. If necessary, the BRRN will also refer make a referral to the appropriate investigatory person, team, or office. The BRRN provides support resources to impacted parties, promotes education and dialogue, and affirms the College’s commitment to equity and diversity, free speech, and academic freedom.
Contact Us
Alane Varga
Alane Varga
Dean for Diversity and Inclusion
(315) 792-3100
Voices for Change
As part of UC’s two-weeklong celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in January 2017, Ronald Spratling ’71, Janice Miles ’74, and Oliver Perry ’74, returned to campus—some for the first time since graduation—to reflect on one of the most pivotal eras in UC history.
READ MORE
A Meaningful Mile
On August 30, more than 500 members of the Utica College community came together for the first annual Unity Walk, a celebration of diversity and community on campus.
READ MOREResources for Expanding Awareness and Engagement
Think of the Uee as the ultimate search tool for all of your ethnic needs. We understand that the city of Utica can be difficult to navigate, let us help!
Ethnic Clubs/Organizations in Utica
Ethnic Cafes/Restaurants in Utica
Ethnic Markets/Shops in Utica
Places of Worship in Utica
(ranked alphabetically)
Click here for an overall guide on places of worship in Utica, NY
Diversity Committee's Recommended Web Links
American Association of Colleges and Universities
Since 1971 AAC&U has developed initiatives that bring together faculty and institutions of higher learning to provide national leadership that advances diversity and equity in higher education, and the best educational practices for an increasingly diverse population. AAC&U understands diversity and equity as fundamental goals of higher education and as resources for learning that are valuable for all students, vital to democracy and a democratic workforce and to the global position and wellbeing of the United States.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division provides information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
College Guide for LGBTQ Students (bestcolleges.com)
Bestcolleges.com features resources designed to inform LGBTQ prospective students about LGTBQ-friendly campuses.
Campus Pride serves LGBT and ally student leaders and campus organizations in the areas of leadership development, support programs and services to create safer, more inclusive LGBT-friendly colleges and universities. It exists to develop, support and give “voice and action” in building future LGBT and ally student leaders. Campus Pride envisions campuses and a society free of anti-LGBT prejudice, bigotry and hate. It works to develop student leaders, campus networks, and future actions to create such positive change.
Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
The combined vision and mission of the Consortium is to achieve higher education environments in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni have equity in every respect. Our goals are to support colleagues and develop curriculum to professionally enhance this work; to seek climate improvement on campuses; and to advocate for policy change, program development, and establishment of LGBT Office/Centers.
Diversity Inc is the leading publication on diversity and business. Its mission is to bring education and clarity to the business benefits of diversity.
Higher Education Recruitment Consortium
Diversity is integral to institutional excellence. HERC understands the need to remove barriers to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of talented faculty and staff from historically excluded and underrepresented populations. HERC maintains a list of higher education and related publications, websites, associations, organizations, and professional societies that serve diverse constituents and publish diverse content.
Human Rights Campaign
As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, the Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide — all committed to making HRC's vision a reality. Founded in 1980, HRC advocates on behalf of LGBT Americans, mobilizes grassroots actions in diverse communities, invests strategically to elect fair-minded individuals to office and educates the public about LGBT issues.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.
Noah is a transgender male who will shift our understanding of gender. During his TEDx Flour City Talk, "What's Left? Our Rights." he'll share his personal journey to help us empathize with how something so basic as identity can be challenged daily. Also view his YouTube video, made while he was a student at Nazareth College.
The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Throughout our history, the YWCA has been in the forefront of most major movements in the United States as a pioneer in race relations, labor union representation, and the empowerment of women.
Need information on a particular holiday found across the world? Want to find out when to celebrate? The Earth Calendar is a non-profit website to which individuals submit information about the world's holidays and celebrations.
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For a general list of frequently used logins, you can also visit our logins page.