Monthly Newsletter | September 2020 |
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Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students Learning Series |
A person is a constellation of identities reflected in values, beliefs, and actions. Some of those identities are deeply ingrained and left unpacked.
But if we do not examine our identities, how can we meaningfully act in and impact the world?
To cater to that need, the office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has launched Rooted in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Change Starts With Me.
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The learning series was designed to accompany faculty, staff, and graduate students through a self-discovery to understand how one’s identities influence worldviews and eventually actions in life, in the classroom, and at work. |
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Start that rewarding journey by saving the date on your calendar:
the next workshop is scheduled on Oct. 21.
Review the series’ calendar for more details.
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At OU, diversity, equity, and inclusion is everyone's job. That is why our calendar has an event for everyone. Plan ahead your attendance by visiting the calendar. |
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The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Week is back!
Started in spring 2019, the DEI Week is a time to increase awareness, educate our community and be an advocate.
Celebrate, learn, and engage across campuses!
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New Mandatory Diversity Training Program:
The ‘Mandatory’ Explained
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"Committing to change is a personal choice, but the tools to make that decision are made available to everyone." |
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“Change is difficult and painful.” But mandatory training to learn about change perhaps is even more painful. Although change can be challenging, it can also be described in other ways.
In education, change is at the core of any learning experience. At the University of Oklahoma, learning is the ground for change and the springboard toward inclusive excellence. The new diversity training program launched in early September is one of the many learning opportunities for students, faculty, and staff across campuses to initiate personal and institutional change.
The self-paced, online training engages the audience with scenarios they can relate to, with additional resources readily available, and with specific references to the OU context. By helping community members enhance their education and build their awareness, the training provides them with some of the tools they need to enact fundamental change at OU.
In the end, committing to change is a personal choice, but the tools to make that decision are made available to everyone.
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Maneuvering a traditional faculty career involves competence in writing, productivity in research-, and work-life balance. To thrive in all three aspects of academic life, the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity has developed a four-step model that starts with planning for the academic year, and continues with strategies to increase publications, to develop professional |
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relationships, and to prioritize self-care.
Recognizing the importance to support faculty, post docs, and graduate students according to their different career needs, the Provost’s Office, the Office of the Vice President for Research and Partnership, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion supported the OU membership to NCFDD.
Through online boot camps, workshops, and mentorship programs, faculty and graduate students can acquire tools and routines to succeed.
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To initiate a free membership, please review the Provost memo issued on Aug. 24, 2020.
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This October, the WGS Center for Social Justice will host a fall Teach OUt on Race as a response to the continuing pandemic of recent and ongoing acts of anti-Black violence in the U.S.
The virtual Teach OUt on Race will focus on uncovering whiteness. It work in coordination with the Women’s and Gender Studies Center for Social Justice inaugural social justice reading group, featuring Ibram X. Kendi’s How to Be an Antiracist. The Teach OUt on Race will feature an interactive panel of scholar-activists from the OU/Norman community and beyond, moderated by an expert in whiteness studies.
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Join us for our inaugural Social Justice Reading Group. Students will have the opportunity to read and discuss Kendi’s book each week.
Limited seats are available. Free copies of the book will be distributed to registered participants as supplies last. Registration will open Sep. 21 and close Oct. 2.
For more information and for registration, visit csj.ou.edu for more information.
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News and Involvement Opportunities |
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Become a D.O.V.
Diversity Outreach Volunteer
pronounced "dove,"
Who can volunteer?
Students, faculty, and staff
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Care
about diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of Oklahoma?
Want
to contribute to making OU a better experience
for all?
Want
to be a catalyst and an active change agent by making sure our campus is open and
welcoming to all?
Help
create the home away
from home
experience for others.
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The pandemic has posed new challenges to international students at OU. From visa delays to enrollment requirements and travel restrictions, international students need a source of reliable and timing information.
The International Student Response Taskforce meets those needs by connecting students with the latest Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies and more.
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COVID-19 has impacted the lives of many people. OU international students are among them as they continue to face significant stress, hardship and uncertainty. OU responds to their needs with a campaign to replenish emergency funds. You can contribute via an online gift.
You can also contribute with a check payable to the University of Oklahoma Foundation, memo line ‘designate fund 32156’. Please send the check at PO Box 258856 Oklahoma City, OK 73125-8856.
Thank you for your contribution!
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How do you share perspectives and worldviews?
Vy Luong thinks that the way to do it is by breaking barriers. A reigning Faces of OU International 2020, Vy has launched Breaking Barriers, an awareness campaign about the challenges experienced by international students.
If you decide to share your unique story, you can do it anonymously by filling an online form or by being featured in a documentary series.
Follow Breaking Barriers on
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A Life Spent to Change People's Lives |
In 1949, Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher gave a new direction to higher education for African American students when she was admitted to OU Law. |
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That legacy continues with the newly established endowed chair in her name funded with a gift of $1 million from several donors.
Thanks to the efforts of the OU Black Law Students Association and Professor Melissa Mortazavi, the fund will be used to recruit a national expert in civil rights, race and justice in the law. “Dr. Fisher didn’t spend her legal career making millions of dollars; she devoted herself to changing millions of lives," stated Professor Mortazavi. The endowed chair position is a catalyst to multiply Dr. Fisher’s efforts.
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College of Allied Health students who have demonstrated leadership in reducing health disparities and improving equity, diversity, and inclusion in society, particularly with respect to health issues, are encouraged to apply for the SAAHD Student Leadership, Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Award.
In 2020, up to four $1,000 awards will be distributed. To be considered for the $1,000 award, students must submit two parts of the nomination/application.
Please include:
1. a current resume
2. a typewritten essay response on four questions:
a. Describe who you are, with a particular focus on your background and its connection to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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b. Describe your leadership activities in health disparities and/or equity, diversity, and inclusion, and your significant accomplishments in these areas. Be sure to describe reasons for your choice of activities and the impact you had in reducing health disparities and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.
c. Describe the context in which your activities took place and include any personal challenges you had to overcome to make a meaningful contribution.
d. Describe how your leadership activities in diversity, equity, and inclusion will contribute to your future efforts in the health professions.
3. Optional: a first-generation college student affidavit.
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In October, we advocate to bring awareness about Breast Cancer. About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer.
In 2020, an estimated 276,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be
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diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 48,530 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer.
Breast cancer affects most of us in some way. During the month of October, listen to a podcast about the thousands of individuals fighting this disease, make a donation to a local hospital or nonprofit, hold a fundraiser on your social media, and do not forget to wear your pink ribbon to share support!
To donate to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation please visit their website.
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This Month We Celebrate... |
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Website users deserve a well-designed and functional website.
With that in mind, the staff of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has recently redesigned the DEI website for simple navigation, responsive design, and accessibility. Now you can enjoy:
- an intuitive navigation menu,
- a layout ready for mobile or laptop access,
- the option to access its content via an automatic text reader
We invite you to visit our new website and tell us what you think!
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Is the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion website easy to navigate?
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Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | United We Stand
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