Briefing:Diversity and Social Inclusion

Presented by: Marva Watson,Director Office of Campus Diversity & ComplianceNovember 27, 2012

Office of Campus Diversity & Compliance

● Promote, Support, Measure and Celebrate Diversity

● Manage University Policies:• Equal Employment Opportunity/ Affirmative Action• Non-discrimination• Title IX• ADA

UAA Diversity Statement

With freedom of speech being at our core, UAA strives to create an inclusive, respectful campus community that promotes and embraces our individual differences. We unite in our belief that diversity includes understanding and respecting differences in ideas, religion, gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, disability, age, and socioeconomic status. We celebrate diversity in all of our educational and employment endeavors.

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National Coalition Building Institute

UAA is working in partnership with an international leadership organization, the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI). NCBI has a long history of working with colleges and universities to create inclusive learning and working environments. Through a team of campus constituents, the NCBI model is utilized to raise awareness, create a welcoming culture, and to intervene proactively to ensure diversity related issues are handled in a responsive & respectful manner.

NCBI creates environments in which people want to belong. 1

NCBI Principles

1) Every person and every issue counts.

2) Guilt immobilizes us and keeps us from taking action.

3) Empowerment is the outcome of skills development.

4) Hearing stories related to life experiences shifts attitudes.

5) Develop leadership outside of oppression.

6) A team approach is required to effect institutional change.

• Orientation Programs• New Student Orientation, Howl Days• Orientation Leaders Training• Human Resources Services, New Employee Orientation• Resident Advisor, Peer Mentor Training

• Campus-Wide Forums• Development Day• Listening Table resources for controversial issues

• NCBI One-Day, Welcoming Diversity, Prejudice Reduction Workshop• (18) workshops presented to campus constituents (Faculty, Staff & Students)

• Academic Programs• Guidance 150

• Resources for Campus Community

NCBI Philosophy and Methodology

Integrated into UAA Institutional Framework

Testimonials

• “I felt very empowered and also felt the way I approach people who are different than me, particularly if they make bigoted remarks, has been fundamentally changed. I feel my role is about building bridges with others so that we can see "there is more that unites us than divides us." Prior to this workshop I had always tried to reason with prejudice using logic and statistics.”

• “Made me have greater sensitivity to certain situations and will listen differently.”

• Gave me tools to correct situations which could otherwise be hurtful.”

• “Expected to get some tools to be more effective in dealing with diversity on campus. Expectations were met.”

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The Welcoming Diversity/ Prejudice Reduction Workshop

UAA International and Intercultural Learning Outcomes

1) Understands one’s own culture(s) within an Alaskan, national and global context.2) Applies knowledge and critical thinking to global and cultural issues, trends, and

systems and uses diverse frames of reference to address problems.3) Communicates and connects with people in other communities to extend one’s

own access to information, experiences and understanding.4) Fosters additional languages, including Alaska Native languages, as a component

of the UAA experience.5) Develops an informed critical awareness and understanding of cultural

differences, similarities, and ambiguities.6) Gains an Alaskan, national, and international perspective on careers.

Cultural Celebrations

Alaska Native / Native American Heritage Month - November 2012

Filipino American History MonthOctober 2012

Black History Month February 2012

UAA’s Alaska Civil Rights History Month - January 15 to February 16, 2012

In accordance with federal and state law, illegal discrimination in employment against any individual because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, physical disability, or changes in marital status, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, or parenthood is prohibited. Decisions affecting an individual’s employment will be based on the individual’s abilities and performance, as appropriate

Nondiscrimination Statement P04.01.020

Employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

• require good faith efforts by an employer and an employee who is a qualified individual with a disability • identify reasonable accommodations that permit

the employee to perform the essential functions of the position.

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American with Disabilities Act - ADA

Title IXTitle IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education.

It reads:

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX)

Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual assault.

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Take Home Message

Embracing diversity is important

Together we can strengthen the

UAA Community

NCBI Principle: Every Person counts and

every issue is important

Thank You!

For more information, please visit: www.uaa.alaska.edu/diversity

Contact: Marva Watson mjwatson@uaa.alaska.edu or 786-1424

Title IX Investigators:Chelsea Sayles clsayles@uaa.alaska.edu or 786-6086

Jerry Trew jltrew@uaa.alaska.edu or 786-5161