Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 350 § 350.375 — Cultural competency requirements at public universities and community colleges

Cultural competency requirements at public universities and community colleges. (1) As used in this section: (a) “Board” means: (A) For a public university listed in ORS 352.002, the governing board of the university; or (B) For a community college, the board of education of a community college district. (b) “Community college district” has the meaning given that term in ORS 341.005. (c) “Cultural competency” means an understanding of how institutions and individuals can respond respectfully and effectively to people from all cultures, economic statuses, language backgrounds, races, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, religions, genders, gender identifications, sexual orientations, veteran statuses and other characteristics in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth, and preserves the dignity, of individuals, families and communities. (d) “Governing board” has the meaning given that term in ORS 352.029. (e) “Public institution of higher education” has the meaning given that term in ORS 350.350. (2) Each public institution of higher education shall establish a process for recommending, and providing oversight for the implementation of, cultural competency standards for the public institution of higher education and the institution’s employees. The process established under this subsection must: (a) Include a broad range of institutional perspectives; (b) Give equal weight to the perspectives of administrators, faculty members, staff and students; (c) Require that the institution provide continuing training and development opportunities that foster the ability of the institution’s faculty, staff and administration to meet cultural competency standards; (d) Propose institution-wide goals that seek to improve the cultural inclusion climate for students, faculty, staff and administration from diverse backgrounds; (e) Require preparation of a biennial report that is presented to the appropriate board regarding the institution’s progress toward achieving the goals set forth in this subsection; (f) Recommend mechanisms for assessing how well the institution meets cultural competency standards; and (g) Ensure that the institution clearly communicates to new faculty, staff and administrators the institution’s commitment to including meeting cultural competency standards in professional development. [2017 c.397 §1]