With few exceptions (historically black colleges and universities being the most notable), higher education institutions were founded and designed to serve white students, particularly those who are male, middle- to upper-class, heterosexual, able-bodied, and Christian.

Despite the increasing diversity of the American college student population, many of higher education’s policies and practices have not been reconfigured to equitably support, affirm, and validate students from racially minoritized groups.

Syllabi are also learning tools that can help students develop effective learning practices and strategies, as well as communication devices that share how teaching will be approached.

(Grunnert, 1997; Parkes & Harris, 2002)