Diversity enriches our learning. We embrace diversity in all contexts, including strengths, perspectives, and people. We seek to increase our capacity to understand issues of difference, power, and privilege as we work to uphold TC3's values of inclusion and equity.
For more information about diversity and inclusion at TC3, contact DEAC@tc3.edu
Diversity Equity Action Council (DEAC)
TC3’s Diversity Equity Action Council or DEAC is a campus-wide collective of students, faculty and staff who meet regularly throughout the year to plan diversity related events and celebrations, educate campus on equity and inclusion, and engage in data collection on equity gaps to inform campus planning.
Equity, Diversity, Justice, and Inclusion Plan
The contents of the revised Tompkins Cortland Community College | Strategic Equity, Diversity, Justice, and Inclusion Plan are a result of the work the Diversity Equity Action Council completed in the 2024-2025 academic year. Purposefully, each DEAC subcommittee reviewed the plan, made modifications to the priorities and action steps, and took steps to make the outcomes more measurable.
The Diversity Equity Action Council spend the 2025-2026 academic year working in subcommittees to advance each of the four priorities in the EDJI plan, assessing impact and using data from the climate survey and other sources to inform its work.
As part of our charges from the college President, in 2026-2027, DEAC members will complete a final assessment of the 2022-2027 EDJI plan, provide a report to college shared governance bodies and leadership, and will begin planning for the next strategic diversity, equity, and inclusion plan.
Diversity Education and Leadership Training
Staff and faculty from the Diversity Equity Action Council serve as facilitators for presenting workshops in classrooms, residence halls, and for student organizations. Request a program, workshop, or training.
Campus Climate Survey
At TC3, we strive for a welcoming and inclusive academic learning experience for all students and a workplace where all employees can be engaged, respected, and thrive in their work. TC3 assesses our campus climate on a semi-regular basis. The Viewfinder® Campus Climate Surveys for students and employees were administered in Fall 2024. These surveys, part of a SUNY-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) effort, were conducted across the 64-campus SUNY network.
The Diversity Equity Action Council reviewed the Fall 2024 climate survey data and made recommendations to the President. These recommendations will guide DEAC's work for the 2025-2026 academic year.
2024 Campus Climate Student Survey Data Highlights
| Question | TC3 (% of Respondents Agree/Strongly Agree) | Peer Institutions (% of Respondents Agree/Strongly Agree) |
|---|---|---|
| The faculty creates a safe and welcoming environment for everyone in the classroom setting. | 77.19% | 74.09% |
| Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging are core values of our institution’s mission. | 66.77% | 64.23% |
| How important, in your opinion, is diversity and inclusion to the campus leadership? | 79.94% (Somewhat and Very Important) | 75.47% (Somewhat and Very Important) |
- Fall 2024 Campus Climate Survey – Student Survey Executive Summary (pdf)
- Fall 2024 Campus Climate Survey – Employee Survey Executive Summary (pdf)
- DEAC’s Campus Climate Survey Recommendations (pdf)
The next campus climate survey will likely be conducted for employees in the 2027-2028 academic year, at the request of the President. The next administration of a climate survey for the student body will take place in 2028-2029. In interim years, DEAC continues to gain insight about the student body through focus groups, student attendance at DEAC meetings, partnership with the Student Government Association, and through listening tours conducted during our strategic plan implementation and accreditation processes
Pulse Campus Climate Survey (Historical Data)
The College previously completed an assessment of the campus climate for students in 2018 to proactively identify student concerns and barriers, provide staff with a shared understanding of the student experience, and to provide foundational benchmark data for the campus climate. 2018 Campus Climate Survey Executive Summary.