Race & Ethnicity Coding Data Issue Documentation

This article provides historical information regarding the 2022 Data Governance project focused on updating the coding of the Race and Ethnicity of the UMS community.

Detailed Information

Issue Summary

The UMS collects data on race at the time of application for both students and employees. The categories used for self-identification are in a two-question format based on 1997 guidance from the US Office of the President/Office of Management & Budget (OMB), which were implemented in 2007 by the US Department of Education.

As seen in the table below (pulled from the Student Census reporting table), there are a large number of students with unknown race/ethnicity. Additionally, the American Indian/Alaska Native category is inflated significantly. These issues create difficulties for the UMS as it seeks to become more inclusive, diverse, and welcoming to students and staff from all backgrounds. Assessing progress in these diversity efforts is challenging with the current deficits in our data.

Term 2110 - Fall 2020 All Institutions

Race Categories Headcount

2 or More Races

922

American Indian/Alaska Native

278

Asian

472

Black/African American

947

Hispanic/Latino

1,065

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

18

Nonresident Alien

659

Unknown

1711

White

23,611

Grand Total

29,683

Resources & Research

Related Links 

Strategic Goals Addressed

  • UMS Transforms
    • A place for everyone who believes education is our highest and best hope to change lives and shape a better, more inclusive future. We are counting on leadership, engagement and ideas from across the university community and from the students and stakeholders we proudly serve.

  • Maine's Economic Recovery Strategy

    • Talent Attraction: Establish Maine as a premier career, education, and lifestyle destination to attract diverse and talented professionals to relocate and define the state’s image beyond leisure and tourism

    • Address Structural Inequities: Make Maine a diverse, equitable, and inclusive state where all Mainers can reach their full potential

  • Maine’s Economic Development Strategy 2020-2029
    • Building bridges for those who are not in the workforce, enabling them to join. Maine has approximately 100,000 people who are of working age but are not currently in the labor pool. We need to ensure that all people, especially those who are underrepresented and young people who are disengaged (neither in school nor in the workforce), find their role.

  • Declaration of Strategic Priorities to Address Critical State Needs

    • Aligning Academic Programs & Innovation to Drive Student Success & Employer Responsiveness

Audience

  • System-Wide
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