IDEAAS

Information and resource page for IDEAAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, Accessibility and Sustainability) as core values at SMC.

What is IDEAAS?

IDEAAS is an acronym for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism, Accessibility, and Sustainability.

INCLUSION – Authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities, and decision/policy making in a way that shares power.

DIVERSITY – Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, and it encompasses all the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another. It is all-inclusive and recognizes everyone and every group as part of the diversity that should be valued. A broad definition includes not only race, ethnicity, and gender—the groups that most often come to mind when the term "diversity" is used—but also age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance. It also involves different ideas, perspectives, and values.

It is important to note that many activists and thinkers critique diversity alone as a strategy. For instance, Baltimore Racial Justice Action states: “Diversity is silent on the subject of equity. In an anti-oppression context, therefore, the issue is not diversity, but rather equity. Often when people talk about diversity, they are thinking only of the “non-dominant” groups.”

EQUITY – An approach to the distribution of resources that accounts for systematic inequalities and provides more for those who need it most. Conversely equality indicates uniform distribution of resources among people, regardless of their need.

ANTI-RACISIM– Anti-Racism is defined as the work of actively opposing racism by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life. Anti-racism tends to be an individualized approach and set up in opposition to individual racist behaviors and impacts.

The active promotion of policies that promote fair treatment of all people and promote racial equity. Practicing antiracism requires identifying, challenging, and upending policies and practices that perpetuate racism on an individual, interpersonal, institutional, or structural basis. (ASCCC 2024)

ACCESSIBILITY – The "ability to access" the functionality of a system or entity and gain the related benefits. The degree to which a product, service, or environment is accessible by as many people as possible. Accessible design ensures both direct (unassisted) access and indirect access through assistive technology (e.g., computer screen readers). Universal design ensures that an environment can be accessed, understood, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people. (ASCCC 2024)

SUSTAINABILITY – A core value focused on educating students to take responsibility for their environmental impact, promoting ethical, sustainable lifestyles, and preparing them for careers in the green economy. It emphasizes balancing economic, social, and environmental impacts while creating a "living lab" for sustainable practices. (Note: Sustainabilty has included as it is a core value of SMC ILO)

RESOURCES