Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity + Inclusion

Columbia College Hollywood is committed to an institution-wide policy of equity and inclusion. Our campuses offer technologically-rich academic environments where our diverse communities of students, staff, and faculty can learn and work together, where differences in experiences, expertise, ideas, and opinions are welcomed and valued. CCH is a place where all perspectives and identities are treated with dignity, fairness, caring, and equality without bias due to religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, height, weight, veteran status, or disability.

As a member institution accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), Columbia College Hollywood is actively committed to the principles of equity and inclusion set forth in the WSCUC Equity and Inclusion Policy.

WSCUC Equity & Inclusion Policy

Anti-discrimination Stance

For 68 years, Columbia College Hollywood has been educating aspiring artists in visual storytelling, helping thousands of students in pursuing their creative dreams. Never has our role as educators been as important and relevant as it is today.

Our campus has created a diversity inclusion task force whose sole objective is to address these disparities and find actionable outcomes that can be seen, heard, and felt across all facets of our campus environment. A few examples include: course curriculum review and overhaul, modified hiring practices that invite more opportunities for under-represented communities, training initiatives that mandate respect, events that celebrate and bring awareness to our unique differences, and instilling a culture where people of color are seen as leaders within our college.

At CCH, we believe it is important to take a stand by demonstrating our willingness to promote and inspire systemic change. We must speak honestly and truthfully to the ugliness of racism that permeates throughout our society today. It may be an uncomfortable conversation for some, but it is an all-too familiar reality for anyone living in this country with black or brown skin. Hiding from it, ignoring it, or being silent about it will not make it go away.

We need to address it head-on, marching proudly alongside those that have been pushed down by the oppressive hands of bigotry and hate. This starts with a conversation, a meaningful discussion of vulnerability to understand the raw experience of those who have lived with discrimination each and every day. While this narrative exchange is vital to our evolutionary process, it is only the beginning.

Because for us this movement DOES matter. It is a living, breathing example of the values we hope to impart as an awakened institution of higher learning for present day and future generations. We invite you to share your stories and be a part of our microcosmic shift toward a more civil and just world.

The murder of George Floyd is yet another example of the need to openly state that Black Lives Matter. Considering the disproportionate amount of police violence and poverty that impact the Black community and other communities of color, it is clear that we are in a state of emergency. This crisis defies the principles on which our nation is supposed to stand. We will not waver. We will be part of the solution.

Actions and Initiatives

Columbia College Hollywood is committed to doing more than making statements. As part of our stand against racism and efforts to create a more inclusive, diverse institution we have and are working on the following initiatives and look forward to additional actions in the future.

• CCH has a DEI task force made up of diverse employees from around the campus. The task force meets once a month and develops and executes our DEI initiatives. The task force is composed of 4 sub-committees that meet 2x-4x per month.
• CCH has made Juneteenth (June 19th) an official campus holiday.
• CCH is creating a Multicultural Center on campus staffed by a Multicultural & Inclusion Coordinator who is responsible for planning and hosting a broad range of activities and programs that promote social justice, inclusion, and equity.
• CCH has added Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion curriculum to its educational requirements.
• CCH has and will continue to conduct DEI training and workshops.
• CCH has and will continue to refine hiring practices that promote diversity and inclusion.
• CCH conducts regular Campus Climate surveys for students and faculty/staff around the topic of diversity to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our community.
• CCH has launched a staff and faculty newsletter to build and strengthen relationships between employees and recognize the strength that diversity brings to CCH.
• CCH has enacted a monthly Get to Know You lunch program for staff that pairs staff and faculty with each other for a 1-on-1 lunch to further promote relationships and cooperation within the college.
• CCH is launching a student Discord server as a channel of safe communication between students.
• CCH President Bill Smith hosts regular fireside chats centered on discussing topics of diversity and inclusion.

Resources:

National Organizations

Association of American Colleges and Universities

American Association of People with Disabilities

National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education

Gay Alliance

National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in America

National Center for Transgender Equality

GLSEN: Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network

Related Campus Services and Policies

Title IX

Disability Services

Student Sexual Misconduct and Relationship Violence Policy (PDF)

Section 504/ADA Grievance Policy (PDF)

Student Complaint and Grievance Process (PDF)