Reed’s formal diversity statement, drafted by students in 2008, asserts the college’s commitment to the full participation in serious and open intellectual inquiry of students, faculty, and staff, regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, socioeconomic status, or disabilities.
At Reed, we believe student success is linked to community support. A range of programming provides students, faculty, and staff with opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations and activities meant to inspire the further development of a fully inclusive learning community.
Resources
Two offices on campus are dedicated to ensuring the full and equal participation of all members of the Reed community.
Located in the president’s office, the Office for Institutional Diversity works closely with the dean of the faculty, Reed’s chief academic officer, to ensure all aspects of college life reflect the fundamental principles of intellectual pluralism espoused in the college’s founding documents. In addition, this office oversees the implementation of systems that support, encourage, and promote a diverse and inclusive learning, teaching, and working environment. Finally, this offices seeks to develop relationships in the broader Portland community that support Reed’s commitment to diversity.
The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) works directly with students to promote identity exploration and enhance the leadership skills of historically underrepresented and marginalized students. The MRC coordinates campus-wide cultural events and programs that celebrate the diversity of community and educates the campus community on issues of identity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice. In addition, the MRC coordinates the Peer Mentor Program, which complements and enriches the academic and social experience at Reed.
Students may also choose to work with Reed's community engagement program, SEEDS (Students for Education, Equity, and Direct Service), to find community service opportunities in Portland. SEEDS provides students with on-going opportunities for community engagement. Federal Work Study-eligible students are able to earn their federal work study wages through community engagement, and all students are able to earn credits required for graduation by participating in community engagement.
Highlights
- The Multicultural Resource Center’s Peer Mentor Program is designed to build community among historically underrepresented students and introduce those in their first year at Reed to valuable campus resources and relationships.
- The Faculty Consortium on Sex, Gender, and Sexuality supports faculty members who are developing courses related to sex, gender, and sexuality studies and sponsoring gender-related events on campus.
- Reed’s Community Reading Project hosts major scholars and public intellectuals for a series of related events to which the larger Portland community is invited. Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, is one of the authors who has visited campus as part of the Community Reading Project.