Same Ocean, Different Fish: A Commitment to Diversity

Commitment to Diversity University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

GLACURH Regional Leadership Conference 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Table of Contents

Introduction-pg 3

Mission Statements-pg 4

UWM Demographics-pg 5

Resource Center-pg 6-7

Diversity in Academics-pg 8

Residence Life-pg 9-10

Student Organization-pg 11-12

Goals for UWM-pg 13

Letters of Support-pg 14-16

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Introduction

Located in the economic and cultural capital of Wisconsin, UW-Milwaukee opens doors to 21st-century career connections and world-class learning opportunities for the most diverse population of students in Wisconsin.

UW-Milwaukee opened its doors in 1885 as the Milwaukee State Normal School with an enrollment of 46 individuals. After years of additions of programs and students, in 1956, Wisconsin State College-Milwaukee merged with the University of Wisconsin system to create the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee that is today.

In the 50 years since UW-Milwaukee was added to the UW system, UWM has grown into a top tier research school, one of the top-50 LGBTQ+ friendly schools in the country, and become a Green Ribbon School for sustainability and environmentally friendly efforts. UWM offers 186 degree programs and countless certificates to make up a fully inclusive campus that offers quality academic classes anytime.

Diversity has been a main mission for UWM since its founding. Today, 1/3 of incoming freshman are students of color and 39% undergraduates are flagged as first generation students. UWM works tirelessly to include and recruit all walks of life from all over the world. With over 27,000 students, UW-Milwaukee is an urban institution devoted to the academic and social prosperity that creates a vibrant community that adapts to the ever changing tides of the modern world.

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Mission Statements

UWM Vision We will be a top-tier research university that is the best place to learn and work for students, faculty and staff, and that is a leading driver for sustainable prosperity. We will accomplish this through a commitment to excellence, powerful ideas, community and global engagement, and collaborative partnerships. UWM Guiding Values We value:

• Innovation, leadership, and collaboration that fosters learning through education, scholarship and research, and public service.

• Opportunities for open inquiry to support the positive transformation of individuals (students, faculty, and staff), institutions, and communities.

• A caring, compassionate, and collegial community characterized by mutual respect and safety.

• Diversity in all of its definitions, including who we are, how we think, and what we do.

• Ethical behavior, based on integrity, accountability, and responsibility • Transparent and inclusive decision making. • Stewardship of resources that promote sustainability, prosperity, and equity

for all in the local and global communities. • Pride in our institution, our unique qualities, and our vital role.

University Housing Missions The CLASS model is used for programing through housing to educate students on:

• Cultural Understanding, Leadership skills, Academic Success, Social Connections, Social Responsibility

The PRIDE message allows students to succeed at UWM through its message: • Prioritize Academics, Reach Out, Involve Yourself, Develop a Plan, Explore

Milwaukee The ICARE message is used by University Housing staff to establish:

• Inclusivity, Community, Adaptability, Responsibility, Excellence

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UWM Demographics

2015-2016 Enrollment 27,156 total students 22,321 undergraduate students 4,835 graduate students 1,612 international students All 50 states and 81 countries represented

1149410790

Male vs Female undergraduates

Female

Male

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Resource Centers

LGBTQ+ Resource Center UW-Milwaukee is ranked as a 5 star campus on the LGBT-friendly Campus Climate Index. The LGBTQ+ Resource Center is devoted to making life at UWM safe and welcoming for all LGBTQ+ students and their allies. This past year, the LGBTQ+ Resource Center at UWM worked to now allow students to be recognized by their preferred names on campus. Military and Veterans Resource Center At UWM, over 1,092 students are currently in the military or a veteran; more than any other school in Wisconsin. Opened in 2012, MAVRC assists military students succeed in receiving a college degree by offering financial, academic and emotional support. UWM is one of three universities nationwide to support all three major veteran programs-Pat Tillman, Upward Bound and Veteran Success. Accessibility Resource Center The Accessibility Resource Center at UWM is focused on providing equal opportunities to students with a range of disabilities in social, academic, recreational, and cultural programs. From interpreters and test taking accommodations, to service animals and note takers, ARC at UW-Milwaukee is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible university experience for all students. Roberto Hernandez Center The mission of the Roberto Hernández Center is to provide academic services that promote Latino student success, to engage in outreach to the Latino community and beyond and to support applied research pertinent to Latinos. The

Roberto Hernandez Center is responsible for Hispanic Heritage Month and Cinco de Mayo week.

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Resources Continued

Black Cultural Center/Black Student Union The UW-Milwaukee Black Cultural Center was established in 2009. The center’s primary function is to serve as a resource for African/African American students. The Black Cultural Center also provides an environment to promote academic and personal success to prepare students for the global community. In association with the BCC, the Black Student Union is an organization to uplift members and to open doors of opportunity for members through conferences, programs, and volunteering. American Indian Student Services American Indian Student Services’ vision is to assist and support UWM American Indian students and to help make our communities stronger. The program provides potential and currently enrolled students with personalized support services which will help them realize their educational goals and make their UWM experience a fulfilling one. Office of Equity and Diversity Services The mission of the Office of Equity/Diversity Services (EDS) is to effectively integrate equal opportunity and diversity into UWM’s institutional climate. UWM’s policies provide equal opportunity in its admissions, employment, educational programs, and activities without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. EDS is dedicated to preventing discrimination and guiding institutional compliance with applicable federal and state laws. Through educational programs, the investigation and resolution of complaints, and oversight activities, EDS fosters an environment and culture that appreciate all members of the UWM community.

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Diversity in Academics

UWM DIVERSITY PROGRAMS The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee offers a large array of diversity programs to educate the state of Wisconsin's most diverse campus on their often under represented histories. Programs Offered:

• American Indian Studies • American Sign Language Studies • Asian Studies • Celtic Studies • Comparative Ethnic Studies • Cultures and Communities • French and Francophone Studies • Hmong Diaspora Studies • International Business • Interpreter Training • Latin American & Caribbean Studies • Latino Studies • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, &Transgender Studies • Middle Eastern & North African Studies • Russian & East European Studies • Scandinavian Studies • Translation • Women’s and Gender Studies

UWM is one of the few schools in the country to also offer a Deaf Studies program to educate students on the ever growing hearing impaired population.

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Residence Life

Living Learning Communities The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee housing implemented the Living Learning Community system to ensure the involvement of all diverse majors within the school. Some of these include the American Sign Language, Social Justice, and First Generation LLC’s. Every incoming freshman living in university housing is asked to select a LLC based of their major. As a member of these communities students are welcomed and introduced to students with similar interest and often similar classes. LLC’s group students by floor within residence halls and typically have the same classes. Students within LLC’s report higher GPA’s and graduate at a higher rate than their non LLC counterparts. The Living Learning Community groups together unlikely students with similar interest to create connections that typically would not happen on campus.

Inclusive Housing/Bathrooms At UWM, students have the option to live in Inclusive Housing. Students must be LGBTQ+ or an ally and apply through University Housing. When approved, students have the option to live in gender neutral suites. University Housing offers this option from the beginning of enrollment as an incoming freshman. Along with Inclusive Housing, UWM currently offers gender inclusive bathrooms in housing and across campus. In the 2015-2016 academic year The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee pushed to have inclusive locker rooms and bathrooms. The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee educated students on this matter and put the final decision to a student wide vote, where ultimately the necessity for all-inclusiveness was recognized. The passing of this legislation put the issue of gender and sexual equality on a schoolwide basis that further expanded UWM’s commitment to diversity.

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Residence Life Continued

Restaurant Operations Within UWM University Housing, Restaurant Operations has strived to accommodate all dietary needs for students on campus. By offering vegetarian and vegan and allergy free options, dining within housing has become inclusive to all students. Signs are posted across all cafés warning students of allergens present in certain meal options. Meal options are also posted with specific labels of vegetarian or vegan friendly. Also many fruits and vegetables used in meals are from a roof top garden located on campus. This also allows organic options to be offered to students.

Mandatory Diversity Training All student staff members on campus at UWM must complete multiple mandatory training sessions on diversity before beginning work. This training includes various topics such as LGBTQ+, socioeconomic status, racial and ethnic differences and various others. This training is to prepare UWM’s student staff members to be able to work with the diverse student population on campus in all aspects. Resident Assistants spend two whole weeks on this training to be able to help any and all residents, no matter what their background. This training has helped prepare so many students for the real world workforce as well.

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The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee has numerous student organizations that cover the full spectrum of diversity and all-inclusiveness on campus. Cultural

• African Student Association (ASA) • American Indian Student Association (AISA) • Asian Student Union (ASU) • Bangladesh Student Association (BSA) • Black Student Union (BSU) • Chinese Club (Chinese Club) • Chinese Student and Scholar Association (CSSA) • Club Français (new org forming) (Club Français) • Desi Student Association (DSA) • German Club (German Club) • Hmong Student Association at UWM (HSA) • Japanese Culture Association (JCA) • Jewish Student Services - Hillel (JSSH) • Latino Student Union (LSU) • Muslim Student Association (MSA) • Native American Studies Association (NASA) • Nepalese Students' Association at UWM (new org forming) (NSA at UWM) • Russian Club (Russian Club) • Saudi Students Club at Milwaukee (SSC) • Sisters in Solidarity (SIS) • Taiwanese Student Association (TSA) • Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) • Word Warriors (Word Warriors)

Student Organizations

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Student Organizations

Continued Religious

• Athletes in Action ( AIA) • Baha'i Club (new org forming) (BC) • Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) • Campus Ministry International -

Milwaukee (CMI - Milwaukee) • Chabad Jewish Student Group

(CJSG) • Eastbrook International Ministry

(EIM) • Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship

(IVCF) • JewWit@UWM (JW) • Latter-Day Saint Student

Association at UWM (reactivation in progress) (LDSSA)

• Milwaukee Christians on Campus (MCOC)

• MKE Campus Ministry for Christ (MKECMC)

• Panther Catholic (Panther Catholic) • Reformed University Fellowship

(RUF) • The Corner House - Lutheran

Campus Ministry (ELCA) (The Corner House)

• The Point of Grace (Point of Grace) • University Christian Ministries

(UCM)

Advocacy • Active Minds at University of

Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Active Minds)

• American Civil Liberties Union Student Alliance (ACLUSA at UWM)

• Better Together Interfaith at UWM (BTIF)

• Colleges Against Cancer (Colleges Against Cancer)

• Community Uprise (CU) • Conservation Club (CC) • Engineers Without Borders (EWB-

UWM) • Ex Fabula (Ex Fabula) • Hmong Human Rights (HHR) • Industrial Workers of the World at

UWM (new org forming)(IWWUWM) • Jewish Voice for Peace University

of Wisconsin Milwaukee Chapter (new org forming) (Jewish Voice for Peace)

• National Alliance on Mental Illness at UWM (NAMI at UWM)

• Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)

• Students Supporting Israel at UWM (formerly Panthers for Israel) (Panthers for Israel)

• Youth Empowered in the Struggle (YES! at UWM)

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Goals for UWM

The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee has already put a great foot forward with its numerous efforts towards the most diverse campus in the state of Wisconsin. However, the attitude that got the university where it is an unyielding one. The university plans to continue its commitment toward diversity by increasing funding to the many cultural programs and organizations that make UWM the diverse campus it is today. The school also plans to further expand programs like UWM Summer Bridge and the Milwaukee scholars program to recruit more culturally diverse freshman classes. The university will always strive to keep its status as one of the most diverse campuses in the nation and to keep our ocean alive and thriving.

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Dear GLACURH Review Committee –

My name is Rachael Amick and I am the Residence Life Coordinator for Sandburg West Tower and the Living Learning Communities Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I write to you today to advocate for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to be recognized as having a high commitment to diversity. Through my role I interact with multiple support systems within University Housing, including but not limited to the Social Justice, Diversity, and PRIDE Living Learning Community, American Sign Language Living Learning Community, and Inclusive Housing options.

To start, UWM has a strong tradition of creating a network of support on campus, which is great due to the fact that we are have the most diverse student body in the UW System. We are rated as a 5-star campus for the LGBT-friendly Campus Climate Index, actively work to support “preferred” names, and have resource centers specifically designated for many marginalized identities ranging from the American Indian Student Services Office to Inclusive Excellence Center to the Accessibility Resource Center (intentionally not named the Disability Resource Center). In addition to those campus resources, University Housing works hard to support diversity.

The Social Justice, Diversity, and PRIDE LLC is one way this is done. This LLC is a common living environment with approximately 72 students that encourages productive, respectful discourse around identity and current issues impacting our society. Many of the students are co-enrolled in Multicultural History of America, where they learn the foundation of history with a multicultural lens. Outside of the course, students are encouraged and required to go to campus-wide programs, like the Black Live Matter lecture series, Spoken Word performances, and community service based learning experiences. Needless to say, this community tackles tough issues and learns about diversity from the ground up both in and out of the classroom.

The American Sign Language LLC is another way that University Housing supports diversity. The ASL LLC is open to student who are interested in, or have experience with, sign language, Deaf culture, are Deaf, are Hard of Hearing, or are Children of Deaf Adults. UWM has a very prestigious Interpreter Training Program, which leads to a high level of involvement with the Deaf community, and provides additional support and resources to students in need and students who want to learn. Additionally, both in the LLC and in traditional housing, accessibility resources are provided (bed shakers, door bells, sign language interpreters, captionists, etc.) to ensure students have a successful and enjoyable college experience.

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University Housing has also been commended for being on the forefront in Wisconsin for Inclusive Housing. Upon housing contracts going live, students are allowed and encouraged to seek out Inclusive Housing, which is promoted through University Housing and the LGBT Resource Center. While many think that Inclusive Housing is just for those who identify with the LGBT+ community, many allies and students from a variety of religious or cultural backgrounds will also opt into Inclusive Housing to ensure their needs are met and they are able to live comfortably while earning their degrees. The formal Inclusive Housing community is typically slated next to the Social Justice LLC in physical location to promote a community of support, but there are multiple suites located throughout the various Residence Halls so students can live within traditional communities or amongst other peers.

Overall, I have been very impressed by the efforts of University Housing and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee during 2+ years here. While my knowledge base consists of active opportunities within my building listed above, there are other things such as the RAs curriculum model that require them to educate students on Cultural Awareness and Social Responsibility. There are also Social Justice Professional Staff Committee initiatives like Boxes & Walls, Hunger Task Force, Respect is Expected Campaign, etc., and Dining Services’ continual improvement to offer foods that meet all dietary needs – Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, allergies, etc - even at the late-night dining options. Sustainability is promoted through composting and having LEED certified buildings on campus. And this is only the formalized efforts, not the hard work I see my colleagues, staff, community councils, SHAC, NRHH, and students on a daily basis.

I hope these reasonings are enough to showcase the commitment that UW-Milwaukee and University Housing has to diversity, as supporting students from all backgrounds is near and dear to my heart, and the hearts of those who I work with here. Please let me know if you have any additional questions, as I would be more than happy to give any additional information.

Best, Rachael Amick

Residence Life Coordinator, Sandburg West Tower & Living Learning Communities Coordinator

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

amick@uwm.edu 414-229-6590

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