The Welcome Pack: Diversity and Social Justice (Fall 2024)
Subject line: Embrace. Advocate. Be Yourself.
Sent: June 12, 2024
At Loyola, we pride ourselves on our commitment to intelligence, character, and inclusion. We don’t just talk about it—we live it. Every day. In fulfillment of our mission as a Jesuit institution, we welcome students of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. By ingraining our values into all that we do, we help prepare our students to be people for and with others.
Our rankings and stats reflect this:
- The Princeton Review ranked us #7 in the nation for the inclusivity of our campus environment and how well students from different backgrounds interact with each other.
- We are also ranked #17 for how friendly our students are and #21 for our quality of life, according to The Princeton Review.
- 48% of Loyola undergraduates identify as members of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.
- 31% of all undergraduates are the first generation in their family to attend college.
- Our students represent 13+ different religious identities and come from more than 48 different countries.
But at Loyola, diversity is about more than our statistics alone. We strive to give every student the tools and resources to thrive, feel respected, and empower others.
Diversity in Action
You’ll have so many ways to get involved on campus while you’re here. Here are a few of our student organizations that help our students embrace their differences and advocate for others.
- Black Student Union (BSU): Join one of the largest organizations on campus, dedicated to fostering inclusion through events, activities, and service to the community.
- Ignatian Life Communities (ILCs): Meet weekly in small groups to reflect on your faith in all facets of your life, including groups for LGBTQ+ and Latinx students.
- International Student Association (ISA): Help promote international cultures across campus and meet students from around the world.
- Loyola Asian Student Association (LASO): Advocate for Asian cultures and help unite people of all backgrounds and ethnicities.
- Muslim Student Association (MSA): Help foster interfaith and cultural understanding and create a safe place for dialogue that is open to Muslim and non-Muslim students.
- Plus+: Help foster inclusivity at Loyola and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community.
For more ways to get involved, browse our student engagement platform HowlConnnect!
You Belong Here
While we are proud of the steps our students, faculty, and staff have taken to help build an inclusive and informed campus, we also know the work is not done. Here are some of the offices and institutions on campus dedicated to helping us make meaningful change within our community.
- Loyola’s Office of Equity and Inclusion leads university-wide efforts to promote understanding of and appreciation for diversity, equity, and inclusion. At Loyola, we believe that diversity alone is not enough—it’s our goal to create a space where all Loyola students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors feel welcomed, included, supported, and recognized equitably.
- The One Loyola Multicultural Resource Center provides a welcoming space for students to be their full authentic selves. The center is located in room 132 of the Danna Student Center and is a central hub of activity. Students can stop by for a study break or reserve the space for student-led meetings and events.
- The Loyola Women’s Resource Center (WRC) was founded in 1975 and was the first university women's center established in Louisiana. Today, the WRC advances intersectional feminism through programming, activism, and advocacy. It is open to all members of the Wolf Pack—because feminism is for everyone. Follow WRC on Instagram @wrcloyola to learn more!
- The Office for Accessible Education (OAE) is here to help students in their transition to college, if you had accommodations using an IEP or 504 plan in high school and even if you did not but may need accommodations. OAE’s Accessibility Coordinators will meet with you to determine appropriate accommodations for your academic work and experiences at Loyola. Learn more about how to Register with Accessible Education and the Differences in Accommodations in High School versus College.
Don’t Forget: Krewe Chats This Week!
You should have already received a message from your Krewe Leader about upcoming Krewe Chats that will take place this week. These are small-group virtual meetings where new students will meet fellow new members of the Wolf Pack, get questions answered, and gain valuable information on how to successfully transition to the university. Krewe Chats are optional. There will be a chat function enabled for questions. If you haven’t heard from your Krewe Leader yet or have questions about these events, please contact Assistant Director of Student Life Tia Teamer at tateame2@loyno.edu or 504.865.3622.