CLIMATE SURVEY: The Diversity and Community Enhancement Committee received an original four-part charge for the period May 1, 2002 to January 1, 2004. One of the charges was to conduct a climate survey and ensure that the results are used to inform decision making within the College. |
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The Committee worked in conjunction with Dr. Sue Rankin from the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity to develop the survey of students, faculty, and staff that was called for in the Committee’s initial charge. The survey instrument was developed and reviewed by the Committee and was administered throughout the College in the spring of 2003. The results of the survey were tabulated and presented at a town meeting that was sponsored by the College’s Faculty Council. The final report is also available within the College. The challenge before us now is to understand the results of the survey and to incorporate the lessons learned into behaviors within the College.
THEATRICAL BASED CLIMATE WORKSHOPS: In spring 2004, live drama was used as a means of raising sensitivity and generating insights into diversity issues. The vignettes, which portrayed interactions involving students, faculty, and community members, provided opportunities for discussion and reaction to diversity issues. All faculty and staff in the College of Education were invited to attend the live drama performances and participate in the discussions. Response to the program was positive and we have plans to expand this practice.
ARTS-IN-EDUCATION INITIATIVE: Each academic year, the College of Education purchases tickets to performing arts events on campus and distributes them, via a random lottery system, to students, faculty, and staff members. The purpose of this program is to provide a valuable shared experience that will increase our collective knowledge about and appreciation for the arts. During the 2004-05 academic year, tickets for seven performances are being distributed, including MAMMA MIA!, Rent, Porgy and Bess, and the Marcus Roberts Trio. For each performance, twenty student tickets and ten faculty/staff tickets are distributed.
Tickets to this event are underwritten by contributions to the College of Education’s annual fund drive. We thank our benefactors for making this program possible.
COLLEGE DIVERSITY AWARD FOR FACULTY & STAFF: In response to an initiative in the College’s A Plan to Foster Diversity: 2004-2009, a Climate Enhancement Award was added to the College of Education’s existing faculty, student and staff awards program. The purpose of the award is to recognize contributions to the pursuit of the College’s diversity agenda. The award, which was drafted and approved by the College of Education’s Faculty Council and the Diversity and Community Enhancement Committee in the spring of 2004, is included in the 2004-05 call for nominations and will hopefully be bestowed upon a recipient in Spring 2005.
The award criteria are as follows:
• Open to all faculty,
staff and students
• Demonstrates commitment to fostering an environment in which diversity
is understood, valued and promoted
• Demonstrates leadership in the elimination of discrimination through
encouragement of understanding among persons of different ethnic origins,
races, sexes, age groups, religious heritage, sexual orientation, and
disabilities
• Demonstrates commitment to meeting the special needs of students,
faculty, staff and clientele who are members of traditionally underrepresented
groups
