Diversity on Campus:
Monthly Newsletter | March 2023
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Welcome to the March Issue of Diversity on Campus!
Spring break has come to an end and the semester continues. The division is excited to finish the remainder of the semester by hosting programs, offering trainings, facilitating volunteering opportunities and continuing to share your story!
As always, thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
DEI Team
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Women, You Are Amazing
March is set aside to celebrate the success and accomplishments of women across the globe. Today, I encourage you to set aside time to thank the women who helped nurture, guide, encourage, build and strengthen your character and supported your development. The tasks of nurturer and builders are not terms I use lightly and are not assigned to the individuals who birthed you. These action words are designed for those who take the time to help construct, mentor and expand others.
The title of a woman comes with many spoken and unspoken expectations. For some, it is a position of strength; for others, it can be perceived as a position of deficit. Our lived experience helps define how we identify and lean into the title of Women. Whether you are in the development phases or have embraced a more advanced season in your life, be proud of the title women. As Maya Angelou stated,
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
- Maya Angelou
Happy Women’s History Month and thank you to the women of OU for giving and caring for our campus community.
Warmly,
Belinda Higgs Hyppolite, Ed.D.
Vice President | Chief Diversity Officer
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Join the Office of DEI for a virtual panel of accomplished women faculty, staff, alumni and partners within the OU community and explore their experiences in various industries on March 30 from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
The webinar aims to discuss the obstacles and achievements of working women. Participants will gain insight from industry professionals on topics from work-life balance to advocating for equity.
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TRIO Center
OU Upward Bound is hosting its annual Summer Academic Institute from June 5 to July 14.
This six-week summer program provides first-generation and low-income high school students the opportunity to live and learn on the Norman campus. While living in the residence halls, students take courses in math, science, english, foreign language and technology.
The program also includes cultural, social and developmental activities such as visits to historical museums, college tours, guest speakers’ health/wellness activities and more.
We are seeking instructors to teach the academic classes and resident advisors who will help mentor, guide and assist the students during SAI.
For more information, please contact program director, Marina Rodriguez, at [email protected]
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Positions available:
- Temporary Instructor: OU Upward Bound Mathematics - JOB #230466
- Temporary Instructor: OU Upward Bound English Literature - JOB #230467
- Temporary Instructor: OU Upward Bound Foreign Language - JOB #230468
- Temporary Instructor: OU Upward Bound Science - JOB #230469
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Accessibility and Disability
Resource Center
Judith “Judy” Heumann, known widely as the “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement”, departed this earth just a few weeks ago on March 4, 2023, after a full life of 75 years.
She contracted polio when she was two years of age, and doctors told her parents to institutionalize her since she would never walk again.
Instead, they fought for access, including mainstream schooling in a time before any civil rights laws guaranteed protection for disabled people. From this experience, Heumann pursued a life of leadership, creating advocacy groups and working to get civil rights legislation passed.
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Campus-Wide
News and Involvement Opportunities
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I.D.E.A. Symposium 2023
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion invites you to our first-ever I.D.E.A. Symposium!

This one-day symposium will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5 in the Thurman J. White Forum Building (1704 Asp, Ave., Norman, OK 73072).
The I.D.E.A. Symposium aims to create an environment that highlights inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (I.D.E.A.) on campus and in the community. Through workshops and presentations, we will analyze and explore the intersections of I.D.E.A. in higher education.
The symposium will provide tools and techniques to support the initiatives of current faculty, staff and students advocating for topics related to their fields of interest.
Join us for a keynote by President Harroz, community lead educational workshops and more!
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Submit Your Nominations For:
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Lifting the Voices of Inclusion Awards 2023
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is pleased to announce a call for nominations for the 2023 DEI awards.

DEI wants to lift the voices of inclusion by honoring the students, faculty, staff and community partners who nurture a culture of belonging and emotional growth by advocating for and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion practices at OU or in their communities.
Infused with the voices of individuals from the Norman, Health Sciences Center and Tulsa campuses, this is a university-wide award program.
Please consider submitting a nomination or a self-nomination no later than March 24, 2023.
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IAC and Women Health Advocacy Hosts the First Menstrual MET Gala
Join the International Advisory Council and Women Health Advocacy for the University of Oklahoma’s first-ever Menstrual MET Gala!
The Menstrual Met Gala will be hosted on Friday, March 24 at 6 p.m. in the Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center.
The theme of the gala is “Menstruation Around the World”, where health and equity advocates will be discussing the effects of global period poverty.
IAC vice president for internal affairs, Aida Sertovic, says, “The Menstrual MET Gala is important because collectively, society doesn’t discuss the cost of menstrual products, the health impact and remedies to the pain caused by periods. By hosting a gala we’re making a public statement that it is paramount to have these conversations and look for solutions to fight period poverty. I can’t wait to see everybody show out and support both IAC and WHA, who have done a tremendous job at advocating for this movement!”
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Sam Noble Museum Set to Host the 20th Annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair
On April 3 and 4, the Sam Noble Museum is hosting the 20th Annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on both dates.
The Language Fair is the largest public event that the Sam Noble Museum hosts every year in conjunction with the Native Nations Center and the OU Native American Studies department.
The fair celebrates language diversity and recognizes the efforts of students and teachers to revitalize Native American languages and heritage.
Over the course of two days, students perform and compete in a variety of categories that include skits, poster art, films, song, cartoons and other displays of their speaking abilities.
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OU's Graduate College Offers the gradSERU Survey
The Graduate College is offering a survey designed to gain insight into graduate students’ experiences within their programs.
The survey aims to implement solutions to challenges faced by students and drive change at OU, as seen by programming efforts, new methods of engagement and more, all featured on the college’s website.
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Become a Catalyst of Change With D.O.V.
To help ensure the university is a place of belonging for all, join the Diversity Outreach Volunteer program.
As a D.O.V., you can help foster community as you develop connections across campuses.
Are you ready?

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The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion wants to provide its campus partners the ability to share their events, webinars, tutorials and other items related to DEI. If selected, your materials will be listed on the DEI website. |
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Office of DEI Trainings

In a community of care, members are engaged in continuous education via workshops and training sessions like the ones scheduled by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. View the training schedule for the spring semester...
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OU Employee Resource Groups
At OU, the Employee Resource Groups are an open forum for individuals with a shared identity to build community and a place of belonging.
ERGs are available at all three campuses and include Black faculty and staff, African American faculty and staff (OU Health), Latinx Coalition, Indigenous Faculty and Staff Circle, LGBTQ+ faculty and staff, Iranian faculty and staff and Asian Pacific Islander Desi Indian faculty and staff.
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Monthly Observance:
March 2023
The month of March is filled with heritage recognitions, celebrations and several religious observances from different faiths including, Bahá’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Jainism and Earth-based spiritualities.
These religious observances can include fasting, performing charitable acts, confessions, visiting temples, celebratory meals and more.
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Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | United We Stand
The University of Oklahoma is an equal-opportunity institution.
ou.edu/eoo
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